Every cricketer, whether a beginner or an experienced player, struggles with selecting the right shot at the right time. A mistimed stroke can result in a lost wicket, while a well-placed shot can lead to easy runs. Many players lack the understanding of how and when to play different types of cricket shots, leading to missed scoring opportunities and unnecessary dismissals.

This guide is for cricketers who want to improve their batting by learning and mastering key cricket shots. Whether you are playing gully cricket, club cricket, or professional matches, understanding the various shots in cricket will help you play with more confidence and score effectively. In this blog, you will learn about the different types of cricket shots, their correct execution, and when to use them in a match.

Types of Cricket Shots: A Complete Guide

1. Front-Foot Shots

Front-foot shots are executed when a batsman advances their front foot towards the pitch of the ball, typically in response to deliveries of a fuller length.

a) Straight Drive

• Description: A classic shot played straight down the ground, showcasing elegance and timing.
• Execution: The batsman steps forward, presenting the full face of the bat, directing the ball past the bowler.
• Ideal Delivery: Full-length balls aimed at the stumps.
• Famous Exponent: Sachin Tendulkar, renowned for his impeccable straight drives.

b) Cover Drive

• Description: An aesthetically pleasing shot targeting the cover region between mid-off and point.
• Execution: With a forward stride, the batsman drives the ball through the covers with a full follow-through.
• Ideal Delivery: Full and wide deliveries outside the off-stump.
• Famous Exponent: Virat Kohli, known for his fluent cover drives.

c) On Drive

• Description: A shot directed between mid-on and mid-wicket, considered technically challenging.
• Execution: The batsman leans into the ball, guiding it to the on-side with a straight bat.
• Ideal Delivery: Full-length balls on middle and leg stumps.
• Famous Exponent: Rahul Dravid, admired for his textbook on drives.

d) Off Drive

• Description: Similar to the straight drive but angled towards the off-side, between mid-off and extra cover.
• Execution: The batsman steps forward, driving the ball with a vertical bat towards the off-side.
• Ideal Delivery: Full-length balls outside the off-stump.
• Famous Exponent: Ricky Ponting, celebrated for his powerful off drives.

2. Back-Foot Shots

Back-foot shots are employed when the batsman shifts weight onto the back foot, typically in response to shorter deliveries.

a) Square Cut

• Description: A forceful shot played square on the off-side.
• Execution: The batsman rocks onto the back foot, cutting the ball square through the point region.
• Ideal Delivery: Short and wide balls outside off-stump.
• Famous Exponent: Brian Lara, famed for his exquisite square cuts.

b) Pull Shot

• Description: A horizontal bat shot targeting the leg-side, often resulting in boundaries.
• Execution: The batsman swivels on the back foot, pulling the ball through mid-wicket or square leg.
• Ideal Delivery: Short-pitched balls around waist height on leg or middle stump.
• Famous Exponent: Sir Vivian Richards, known for his dominant pull shots.

Also Read: Different Types of Bowling in Cricket

c) Hook Shot

• Description: An aggressive shot played against bouncers, aiming to send the ball over the fielders behind square on the leg side.
• Execution: The batsman hooks the ball, often aiming for a boundary or six.
• Ideal Delivery: Short-pitched balls at or above chest height.
• Famous Exponent: Ricky Ponting, recognized for his fearless hook shots.

3. Defensive Shots

Defensive shots are crucial for preserving one's wicket, especially against challenging deliveries.

a) Forward Defensive

• Description: A shot aimed at blocking the ball, preventing it from hitting the stumps or leading to a catch.
• Execution: The batsman steps forward, presenting a straight bat to deaden the ball's momentum.
• Ideal Delivery: Good-length balls on or around off-stump.
• Famous Exponent: Rahul Dravid, aptly nicknamed "The Wall" for his defensive prowess.

b) Backward Defensive

• Description: A shot used to defend against shorter deliveries, ensuring the ball doesn't pass the bat.
• Execution: The batsman moves onto the back foot, holding the bat vertically to block the ball.
• Ideal Delivery: Short-of-length balls targeting the stumps.
• Famous Exponent: Jacques Kallis, known for his solid defensive technique.

4. Leg-Side Shots

Leg-side shots are played to deliveries directed towards the batsman's pads or leg stump.

a) Leg Glance

• Description: A delicate shot guiding the ball to the fine leg region.
• Execution: The batsman uses soft hands to deflect the ball off the pads towards fine leg.
• Ideal Delivery: Balls drifting onto the pads or leg stump.
• Famous Exponent: Kumar Sangakkara, renowned for his elegant leg glances.

b) Flick Shot

• Description: A wristy shot played to redirect the ball from the leg side to the boundary.
• Execution: The batsman uses their wrists to flick the ball through mid-wicket or square leg.
• Ideal Delivery: Full or good-length balls on leg stump.
• Famous Exponent: VVS Laxman, celebrated for his sublime flick shots.

5. Unorthodox and Innovative Shots

Modern cricket has seen the emergence of unconventional shots, adding flair and unpredictability to batting.

a) Reverse Sweep

• Description: A sweep shot played in the opposite direction, towards the off-side.
• Execution: The batsman switches grip or stance, sweeping the ball towards the third man or point region.
• Ideal Delivery: Full or good-length balls from spinners outside off-stump.
• Famous Exponent: AB de Villiers, known for his innovative stroke play.

b) Switch Hit

• Description: A shot where the batsman changes stance from right-handed to left-handed (or vice versa) before the ball is bowled.
• Execution: The batsman shifts their grip and stance to play a powerful shot on the off-side.
• Ideal Delivery: Used against spinners or medium pacers when field placements favor the original stance.
• Famous Exponent: Kevin Pietersen, who pioneered the switch hit.

c) Scoop Shot

• Description: A daring shot that lifts the ball over the wicketkeeper or fine leg.
• Execution: The batsman kneels and uses the bat’s face to flick the ball up over the keeper.
• Ideal Delivery: Used in limited-overs cricket, especially against yorkers or slower balls.
• Famous Exponent: Tillakaratne Dilshan, who popularized the "Dilscoop."

d) Upper Cut

• Description: A shot designed to use the bowler’s pace and guide the ball over the slips.
• Execution: The batsman leans back and angles the bat to send the ball over the third-man region.
• Ideal Delivery: Short and wide deliveries outside the off-stump.
• Famous Exponent: Sachin Tendulkar, who mastered the upper cut against fast bowlers.

e) Ramp Shot

• Description: A modern shot played to lift the ball over the slip cordon or wicketkeeper.
• Execution: The batsman opens the bat face and angles it upwards to send the ball behind the wicket.
• Ideal Delivery: Short-pitched deliveries with pace.
• Famous Exponent: Jos Buttler, who frequently plays the ramp shot in T20 cricket.

f) Helicopter Shot

• Description: A powerful, wristy shot designed to generate maximum bat speed, sending the ball into the stands.
• Execution: The batsman swings the bat in a circular motion (like a helicopter blade), using the bottom hand to generate power and lift the ball over mid-wicket or long-on.
• Ideal Delivery: Best played against yorkers or full-length balls aimed at the stumps.
• Famous Exponent: MS Dhoni, who made the helicopter shot world-famous.

When to Play Each Shot?

Shot	Best Against	Famous Player
Straight Drive	Full-length balls on off/middle stump	Sachin Tendulkar
Cover Drive	Full balls outside off-stump	Virat Kohli
On Drive	Full balls on middle/leg stump	Rahul Dravid
Off Drive	Full balls outside off-stump	Ricky Ponting
Square Cut	Short and wide balls outside off-stump	Brian Lara
Pull Shot	Short-pitched balls on leg side	Sir Vivian Richards
Hook Shot	Bouncers	Ricky Ponting
Leg Glance	Balls drifting onto pads	Kumar Sangakkara
Flick Shot	Full or good-length balls on leg stump	VVS Laxman
Reverse Sweep	Full or good-length balls from spinners	AB de Villiers
Switch Hit	Spinners or medium pacers	Kevin Pietersen
Scoop Shot	Yorkers, slower balls	Tillakaratne Dilshan
Upper Cut	Short and wide balls	Sachin Tendulkar
Ramp Shot	Short-pitched deliveries	Jos Buttler
Helicopter Shot	Yorkers, full-length balls	MS Dhoni

Final Thoughts

Mastering different cricket shots is essential for any batsman looking to improve their game. Whether you're playing a defensive stroke to survive a tough spell or attacking with a lofted drive, shot selection is key. Practice regularly, work on your footwork, and watch professional players to understand how to play shots effectively.

🏏 Which cricket shot do you enjoy playing the most? Let us know in the comments!

FAQs on Cricket Shots

How many types of shots are in cricket?

There are over 20 recognized cricket shots, including defensive, attacking, unorthodox, and innovative shots.

How many shots are in cricket?

Cricket has a wide range of shots categorized into front-foot, back-foot, defensive, attacking, and modern strokes. The number continues to grow as T20 formats evolve.

Which shot is best in cricket?

The best shot depends on the match situation. The straight drive is considered the most elegant, while the pull shot is highly effective against short-pitched deliveries.

Where should a batsman play a cover drive?

A cover drive should be played through the covers, ideally between extra cover and mid-off, when a full delivery is bowled outside off-stump.

Is the switch hit legal in cricket?

Yes, the switch hit is legal, but the batsman must execute it before the bowler releases the ball.

When should a batsman play the helicopter shot?

The helicopter shot is best used against yorkers and full-length deliveries when the batsman wants to clear the boundary in the death overs.