PACK A PUNCH

One of the best parts of about life and cricket is that one can go on discovering new things in the course of time. Like life, cricket evolves. The style of play is ever changing. We have witnessed how batsmen continue to invent new shots. This is not a recent trend but has been happening since the 1800’s. Our Ranjitsinghji is the earliest in memory who invented a new shot. His leg glance was quite a sensation when it was first evolved and today it is major part in the gameplay.

Since the advent of the T20 format the batsmen have been scoring in funny and unconventional methods. Some batsmen have made their own created shots their trademarks. These shots have thrilled and baffled fans world over. Such shots come with the line “Don’t try this at home.”

Today, I have picked up a few players and their trademark shots that we want to see at this world cup. It should be noted that some shots aren’t inventive but I have added them because when they are played by the particular player it is just amazing.

1. Dilscoop: When Tillakaratne Dilshan played this shot for the first time I was absolutely amazed. How can a batsman play a fast bowler over the wicket-keeper’s head. He does that with one knee on the ground risking his face. If you are trying this shot please wear a tooth guard under your helmet but my sincere advice is “Please don’t try this at home, school or anywhere. (a la WWE).”

2. McCullum sweep: Brendon McCullum came to the forefront when he played that amazing 158 against RCB in the first IPL match. The sweep that he plays to the fast bowlers is simply out of this world. It is not exactly a sweep but a kind of a hybrid of a sweep and a scoop. The hundred he scored in a T20 against Australia last year was filled with this shot. He would actually sit down against the pace of Nannes and Tait and sweep them. It would be a thrill to watch this one at the World Cup.

3. David Hussey’s inside out over cover: David Hussey is a fantastic batsman through the off side. One of the best shots he plays is when he goes inside out over cover to the fast bowlers. He just uses the pace of the bowlers and it generally carries all the way. With some small grounds in the tournament, this shot can be a real handful.

4. MS Dhoni’s Helicopter shot: The recent Pepsi ads have given this name to the shot. Off late Dhoni hasn’t been playing the shot that has thrilled people world over. The bat rotating like a blade is worth watching and the ball does go miles. It is more like a hammer throw the only difference being that the bat is still in his hand.

5. Tendulkar’s upper cut: This shot caught the imagination of a nation when he first played it against Shoaib Akhtar in the famous match of the 2003 World Cup. I still remember Ravi Shastri’s words when it was first played “He goes after that one and it is six.” Over the years Tendulkar and Sehwag have perfected this shot and have been playing it over the slips as well.

6. Kevin Pietersen’s reverse hit: How does a man have the time to shift his feet, change his stance and still play a shot. This shot is a headache not only for the bowlers but also for the umpires. If the ball hits his pads, do they consider him as a left hander or a right-hander. Nevertheless, I don’t remember him playing the shot unsuccessfully.

7. Chris Gayle’s stand and deliver: This man has strength. He has good hand eye co-ordination, what more do you want. Fast bowlers or spinners, it doesn’t matter he can cart them out of the ground with minimal footwork. That is stand and deliver for you.

8. Keiron Pollard’s baseball club: Can anybody forget this man clubbing Shaun Tait over mid wicket. I was watching this game on tv but I heard the sound of the bat as if I was there at the ground. He can club any ball on a length as if he is playing baseball.

9. Chamara Silva’s own helicopter shot: Unlike Dhoni’s helicopter shot, Chamara Silva plays this shot with great timing. Dhoni’s helicopter is full of strength whereas it is all grace with Silva. The result of both is generally the same.