Watch: Cricketers signature shots that changed the way we watch cricket

Akash Khanna | FYS

When Tendulkar straight drives, the world seems like a nicer place, Harsha
Bhogle once said while commenting on the iconic shot by the god of cricket.
Like the aforesaid statement, there were many that described the beauty of
Sachin Tendulkar with his signature shot straight drive. Similarly, there came a
few cricketers who either invented a shot or made miracles out of it.
Its a story of shots and their creators/masters. Both the art and the human
element in it transformed the way we look at cricket today!
Sachin Tendulkar Straight Drive
Sachin didnt invent the shot but no other batsman could play a straight drive
with such elegance and spirit. That incredibly flat bat and Sachins head straight
in the front direction was enough to convince spectators that if Sachin has
played it, its going to be a four.
<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oJC5dUT3eM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Ricky Ponting Pull/Hook Shot
In reference to Bend it like Beckham, it wont be an exaggeration to say Pull it
like Ponting. Former Australian captain had that flair in his wrists to play pull and
hook shots more delightfully than anyone on this earth. A pull shot doesnt
describe the greatness of Ponting, but the way he played does.
<iframe width="640" height="360"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnMh2m7R0Eo" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
You must have seen many cricketers playing effective pull shots, but no one
could play such gracefully with his front foot forward.
MS Dhoni Helicopter Shot
The man who is often credited with the propagation of the shot in the
international cricket arena, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is truly a sight to watch when
he lofts a Yorker or a full-length delivery. Recently, his biopic MS Dhoni The
Untold Story revealed that Dhoni had learned that shot from a friend in lieu of a
Samosa (Indian snack).
<iframe width="854" height="480"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/smMJbz4L6Ho" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
Surely, Dhoni knew that this one shot will become his signature one day and fans
from across the globe would love to watch him play that shot again and again!
Eoin Morgan Reverse Sweep

Englands Eoin Morgan is an ideal modern day cricketer as the variety of shots he
possesses will inspire several upcoming generations. Out of all, reverse sweep is
his favourite one can safely say he is more than just good at his signature shot!
<iframe width="640" height="360"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wcjZrdf0UU4" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
In the above video, Morgans last shot shows how the Englishman played a
reverse-reverse sweep or call it a double reverse sweep. Marvellous it is.
Tillakaratne Dilshan Dilscoop
We have established that is is extremely risky to play a Dilscoop an impudent
shot that goes over the head of the batsman, wicketkeeper and eventually into
the fence for a six. Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan invented the shot
and gave cricket fans another reason to enjoy the game further.
<iframe width="854" height="480"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7AVrZ7JZHiA" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
Dilshan explained how it works, however in a humorous way.
Kevin Pietersen Switch Hit
Today, many cricketers can play switch hit and can excite the spectators in a
moment with such heroics. Glenn Maxwell and Colin Munro are among the top
names in current lots who have excelled in this shot. However, destructive
batsman Kevin Pietersen started this way back when he played for England and
he hit with such an elegance even today in league cricket.
<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GYxERCjUKM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Documentary on life account of Pietersen Being Kevin Pietersen starts with a
league match, where he hits a switch-hit shot for a six.
Virender Sehwag Uppercut
Dare you to bowl him a short-length over the shoulder delivery, hell drive it for a
boundary with a little effort. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was known
for his aggressive batting and inspirational uppercuts. It was a delight to watch a
56 batsman playing uppercut with such vigour.
<iframe width="854" height="480"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/haTkMwEpkeQ" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
Sehwags uppercut was enough to daunt even the best of bowlers. Here in a
humour TVC, he explained how he could play it so comfortably and so effectively.
Brian Lara Cover Drive
The legendary batsman from West Indies, Brian Lara is remembered for his eyesoothing cover drives. In the history of cricket, there have been many cricketers

like Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis who could play great cover drives, though
Lara was the greatest among all.
<iframe width="854" height="480"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Btb_rtX8jF4" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
In a number-based analysis done by Cricinfo in 2005, Lara was proven to be the
best cover driver of the generation. Since September 2001, when the ball-byball data-recording system came into being, Lara has played the stroke 358
times for 652 runs in Tests - that's a rate of 1.82 runs per shot. But even more
impressively, he has only been dismissed once while playing the stroke, giving
him a cover-drive average of 652, the research says.