Helicopter Shot: Check out everything about helicopter shot

The helicopter shot in cricket involves striking the ball with a wristy flick, utilizing the bottom hand as the main force. Its name derives from the elegant finish of the stroke, where the bat is gracefully circled overhead. This shot is renowned for its unorthodox and inventive nature, as it enables batsmen to score boundaries, even when faced with challenging yorkers or fuller-length deliveries typically employed by fast bowlers in the final stages of limited-overs matches. The difficulty of sending such balls to the boundary makes the helicopter shot an impressive and effective alternative.

Helicopter Shot

MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, is renowned for popularizing the helicopter shot at the international level. This unique stroke became a signature move for Dhoni, particularly during the slog overs when scoring boundaries was crucial. However, the origin of the helicopter shot can be attributed to his childhood friend and fellow cricketer, Santosh Lal. Santosh taught Dhoni a shot that was initially called the “thappad shot,” derived from the Hindi word for slap.

The thappad shot involved delivering a powerful slap-like hit on the ball, particularly when facing yorker-length deliveries. In those days, yorkers were considered extremely challenging to play, and missing the flick often meant being dismissed. However, the thappad shot allowed batsmen to hit sixes even off yorkers. It was this extraordinary shot that Dhoni learned from Santosh, and it eventually evolved into the renowned helicopter shot that he patented.

While Dhoni popularized the helicopter shot, there have been other cricketers who have also employed a similar technique at the international level. One notable player is Hardik Pandya, an all-rounder for the Indian team. Pandya has showcased his version of the helicopter shot, emulating Dhoni’s style and effectiveness. Another player who has impressed with his helicopter shots is Rashid Khan, a prominent player from Afghanistan. Rashid Khan’s ability to execute the shot with finesse has garnered attention and admiration.

It is worth noting that several players, including cricketing legends, have played shots resembling the helicopter shot on occasion. Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, has demonstrated similar stroke play. Aravinda Silva, Kevin Pietersen, Chamara Silva, and Abdul Razzaq are among other notable players who have played shots resembling the helicopter shot, albeit not as a specific technique. These instances highlight the occasional utilization of this unique stroke by talented batsmen who relied on their skill and the merit of the ball.

Nevertheless, it is MS Dhoni who stands out as the master of the helicopter shot, having honed and popularized it throughout his illustrious career. His admiration for Santosh Lal’s batting style and the invaluable lessons he received from him have played a significant role in shaping his own batting repertoire. While other players have attempted similar shots, Dhoni’s execution and consistency with the helicopter shot have made it synonymous with his name.