The Lofted Shot — How Batters Clear the Infield in T20 Cricket
What the lofted shot is, the mechanics behind hitting over the top, and when it is the right tactical choice.
The lofted shot — hitting the ball deliberately in the air over the infield or boundary — is one of the defining skills of modern T20 batting. Where earlier generations of batters were coached to keep the ball on the ground, today's T20 specialists are expert at clearing the rope on command. The lofted shot turns potential dot balls into sixes and resets the pressure calculation of any bowling attack.
The Basic Mechanics
A lofted shot is achieved by getting under the ball — positioning the head and body so the bat comes through on an upward arc. The batter rocks back to create room, drops the hands slightly below the line of the ball, and then drives through with a high follow-through. The ball needs to be hit in the middle of the bat; a thin edge when trying to loft goes straight up and is easy to catch.
Lofting Against Pace vs Spin
Lofting against pace bowling is mostly about timing — the batter uses the pace of the delivery and redirects it over the fielder. Lofting against spin is about footwork and bat speed. Coming down the pitch to a spinner shortens the effective length of the delivery, turning a good-length ball into a full toss and making it much easier to clear the boundary. The batter must get to the pitch of the ball — going too early and missing leads to a stumping; going late leads to a miscued catch.
Field Placement and the Risk Calculation
Captains set deep fielders to prevent the lofted shot. A batter assessing whether to attempt a loft considers: where are the fielders, how full is the delivery, how far is the boundary, and how set am I at the crease. In the powerplay when only two fielders are allowed outside the ring, the lofted shot clears the infield and lands in a gap — a risk worth taking. In the death overs with five fielders on the boundary, the margin for error shrinks.
Teaching and Practising the Lofted Shot
Modern batting academies teach the lofted shot as a core skill, not a trick shot. Drills include tee work to learn how to get under the ball, drop-and-hit practice against a bowling machine set at good length, and deliberate practice against spinners in the nets. The key teaching points are: stay balanced, get the head in line with the ball, and hit through the ball rather than at it.
Frequently asked questions
Is lofting the ball always risky?
The risk depends heavily on execution. A well-timed loft in the right conditions is a high-percentage scoring shot. A mistimed loft is an easy catch.
What is the difference between a lofted drive and a slog?
A lofted drive is deliberate and controlled, aimed at a specific gap with good technique. A slog is an aggressive cross-bat swing that relies more on power than placement.
When should a batter choose not to loft?
When the fielding captain has moved a fielder exactly where the loft would land, when the pitch is slow and spongy making timing difficult, or when a wicket in hand is more important than a boundary.