Cricket is a sport of innovation and it’s all about evolution. Batters have always tried to take the advantage of every opportunity and maximize their potential. Over the decades, some batters have produced various different creative ways of shot-making.
Let’s have a look at the 5 unique cricket shots.
1. Uppercut – Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar played this shot for the first time in South Africa in 2002 against pacer Makhaya Ntini. Originally, the shot was produced by Eddie Barlow in the 1960s but Tendulkar is known as its modern master. Tendulkar used the bounce and pace to go under and with the extra bounce. the shot became really popular. In today’s age, the shot is viable for smashing a boundary during field restrictions.
2. Switch Hit – Kevin Pietersen
The switch shot by Kevin Pietersen had really impressed Geoffery boycott. He was behind the mic when Pietersen hit the shot against Muralitharan. Some experts state that South African player Jacques Kallis used a similar feat in the 1990s. New Zealand’s Craig McMillan is said to be the inventor of this stroke but Pietersen’s smack against New Zealand became most popular.
3. Standing hockey swat – Ross Taylor
Ross Taylor did make this shot a trademark in the 2000s. The kiwi batter used to walk towards the offside and do a drag-flick. Experts say that to completely understand the stroke the ball has to be cover-driven or lofted over the offside. This shot is frequently visible in the RCB matches of 2009.
4. Ramp shot – Douglas Marillier
The ramp shot has become popular in modern-day cricket with the batter’s improvisational skills. At present, Jos Buttler, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohin Khan are regular exponents of this shot. The shot was invented by Douglas Marillier. He lapsed Glenn McGrath’s two low full-tosses for boundaries in 2001 for the first time. Australian wicket-keeper Sammy Carter is also believed to be the pioneer of this shot. However, it is the Pakistani cricketers who have played the shot maximum.
5. Helicopter shot – MS Dhoni
India’s beloved former skipper MS Dhoni has been the founder of the helicopter shot. In his initial years, Dhoni played with his full audacity and strength. The batter has to finish the shot with a flourish by twisting the bat in an overhead circle. Players with a strong bottom hands play it better but when MS used to play this shot, it was way too popular in the Indian subcontinent.
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