Cricket is a popular sport played around the world, and there are several shots that players use to score runs. Here are some of the most common cricket shots, along with their history and images:
The Straight Drive:
Image Source: Twitter
It is one of the most classical and graceful shots from the repertoire. If you want to see the perfect example of a straight drive, watch India’s Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli in action.
The straight drive is usually played if the delivery is good to full length and the line is around the middle stump or off stump. To play the shot, you should make the forward stride to bring the front foot close to the pitch of the ball.
You need to bend your front leg slightly, while your head should be above your front knee. The bat face should be facing straight towards the bowler while striking the ball and a high front elbow is recommended.
The Cover Drive:
Image Source: BCCI
The Cover Drive is identical to the previous drives in that the ball is struck in the opposite direction. The ball is pushed via the “covers” portion of the field, which lies between the straight and square parts at the off-side.
This stroke is played to a decent to full-length delivery that is close to or broader than the off-stump line. This is performed in the same manner as the off drive shot, with the exception that the front foot must be moved forward and somewhat broader towards the line of the ball. In addition, the bat’s face and follow-through should face the cover area.
The Pull Shot:
Image Source: Twitter
The Pull Shot is used to despatch the ball on the leg side, between mid-wicket and fine leg. This stroke may be used against short or back-of-the-length deliveries in line with the stumps. When the ball is closer to the leg side, it is easier to handle.
This stroke is playable if the ball bounces between the waist and the shoulder.
To play a pull shot, place your weight on your rear foot first, then rotate your body and swing the bat horizontally to catch the rising ball at the correct moment.
You must pick whether to strike the ball in the air or on the ground based on your pitch position. To avoid the airborne path, consider rolling your wrist at the point of contact by moving your top hand over your bottom hand.
The Hook Shot:
Image Source: Twitter
This Hook Shot is used when the ball bounces around or over the shoulder. As a result, the short length is perfect for the hook shot, and the ball line should be in line with the stumps or preferable further towards the leg side. The hook shot may be used to target the region between the midwicket and fine leg.
The shot is similar to the pull shot in that it requires torso rotation and a bat stroke. The power is created here by the rotational speed and the hand speed.
The Square Cut:
Image Source: Quora
This stroke is played square of the wicket on the off-side, as the name implies. It is one of the most commonly utilised shots and is intended to penalise bowlers for poor line and length. It is a back-foot stroke that is played against the back of a length or short delivery that is wide outside the off stump.
To play the square cut, step back with your rear foot, then release your arms and strike the ball with the horizontal bat. Note that the later you play the ball, the squarer it will be. Keep your head up throughout the shot to avoid striking the ball in the air.
The Leg Glance:
Image Source: Twitter
The leg glance occurs when a ball is flicked towards the leg side with a straight bat and some wrist effort.
The ball is deflected into the square leg or fine leg area with this stroke. Depending on the length of the ball, you can play the Leg Glance on either the front or back foot. The leg glance is all about deflecting the ball and taking use of the ball’s speed.
The Reverse Sweep:
Image Source: RCB
The reverse sweep is a novel sweep performed with a reversed bat. In contemporary cricket, the shot has grown in popularity. When the captain or spinner positions fielders on the leg side to counter sweep strokes, some gaps open up on the off-side.
Instead of sweeping, the batsman can use the reverse sweep stroke to exploit the off-side region by sending the ball in the opposite direction as the conventional sweep shot, i.e. behind the square on the off-side.
Overall, these are some of the most common cricket shots played by batsmen. The shots require a combination of technique, timing, and power to execute them effectively.
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