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Top 5 unorthodox cricket shots which mesmerized cricket fans around the globe

Check out the five unorthodox cricket shots in cricket. These cricket shots, such as the Reverse Scoop, Helicopter Shot, Switch hit.

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Rohit Kumar
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unorthodox cricket shots

unorthodox cricket shots (Source: Twitter)

The surge in T20 cricket worldwide has led to the innovation of a variety of shots that revolutionize the game. Batters have adapted by creating innovative shots like the scoop, ramp, switch-hit, and more, enhancing their arsenal against bowlers. These shots have shifted the dynamics of cricket, challenging bowlers to devise new strategies and adapt to these inventive strokes.

Batters use these shots to manipulate field placements, surprise bowlers, and accumulate runs quickly. This has heightened the excitement of spectators and made the game more entertaining. As T20 cricket continues to evolve, the innovation of shots remains a crucial aspect, ensuring that the game remains dynamic, unpredictable, and appealing to fans worldwide. So, in today's article, we will discuss the top 5 innovative and unorthodox  shots and their masters in cricket history.

Ranking these shots is difficult, so we will just name them

.5. Reverse Scoop: Ab De Villiers

unorthodox cricket shots Reverse Scoop by Ab de Villiers (Source: Twitter)

Ab de Villiers, fondly known as Mr. 360, is renowned for his unorthodox approach to cricket. His incredible innings have left fans amazed on numerous occasions. Yet, one shot that truly highlights de Villiers' innovation is the reverse scoop. What sets this shot apart is its applicability even against fast bowlers hurling deliveries at 150 kmph.

Here is the video:

De Villiers changes his grip on the bat and deftly flicks the ball over the third-man region. The reverse scoop's uniqueness lies in its effectiveness in T20 cricket, showcasing de Villiers' exceptional talent. While it's a high-risk manoeuvre, executing it requires a blend of remarkable skill and innate ability. This shot not only adds to de Villiers' batting repertoire but also exemplifies his boundary-pushing cricketing style.

4. Helicopter Shot: MS Dhoni

unorthodox cricket shots Helicopter Shot by MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

The helicopter shot, originally introduced by Mohammad Azaharuddin, has taken cricket by storm. While Azaharuddin invented this shot, it's Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has become synonymous with its mastery. This unique stroke has the surprising ability to make even yorkers playable, adding a new dimension to batting.

Here is the video:

The helicopter shot involves flicking the bat towards the leg side to handle yorkers and fuller deliveries, finishing with a flourish by twisting the bat in an overhead circle. This unconventional move demands impeccable timing and wristwork, showcasing a newer and more innovative style of batting that has captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

3. Switch Hit: Kevin Pietersen

unorthodox cricket shots Switch Hit by Kevin Pietersen (Source: Twitter)

Kevin Pietersen's switch hit is a shot that exudes a genuine "wow" factor. It involves a right-handed batsman adopting a left-handed stance (or vice versa) just before the bowler releases the ball and expertly placing or hitting it for a boundary on the actual offside. This innovative move was popularised by England's cricket maverick, Kevin Pietersen, and later embraced by players like David Warner and Glenn Maxwell.

Here is the video:

Pietersen showcased this shot for the first time during a match against New Zealand. The switch hit requires the batsman to change their stance just before the bowler delivers. While some criticised it as unfair to the bowler and the field placements, Pietersen's mastery of the shot made it a remarkable part of his repertoire, even finding success in the IPL.

2. Dil-scoop: Tillakaratne Dilshan

unorthodox cricket shots Dilscoop by Tillakaratne Dilshan (Source: Twitter)

Tillakaratne Dilshan's Dilscoop gained immense popularity during the 2009 T20 World Cup in England. This innovative shot, where he used the bat's face to scoop the ball over the wicketkeeper's head, captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The origin of this shot lies in Dilshan's street cricket days in Sri Lanka, where limited space compelled him to find unconventional ways to score.

Here is the video:

With not much room to hit on either side of the wicket, he targeted the region behind the wicketkeeper. This simple, street-smart decision led to the creation of the Dilscoop. Dilshan's unique approach and creativity altered the batting landscape, introducing a shot that challenged bowlers and became a signature move in the T20 format.

1. Supla Shot: Suryakumar Yadav

unorthodox cricket shots Supla Shot by Suryakumar Yadav (Source: Twitter)

Star India batter and the world's number 1 T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, is known for his 360° cricketing skills. Suryakumar can hit the ball anywhere on the ground with his flexible and amazing batting skills. However, a shot that made headlines after Suryakumar Yadav came into the international and IPL scenes is the Supla Shot.

Here is the video:

A shot that helps the batter go beyond his limits to effectively send the ball behind the keeper Speaking about it once, Suryakumar said, "I think this term has come from tennis cricket. I have seen a lot of them when I play and when I go back home. The shot means the ball that you hit right behind the wicketkeeper when it’s shot coming right at your head. It’s something like going behind what I love.

Cricket News AB de Villiers featured Suryakumar Yadav MS Dhoni Kevin Pietersen Tilakaratne Dilshan