Cricket Batting Strokes — All Major Shots Explained
A complete guide to all major cricket batting strokes — drives, pulls, cuts, sweeps, and modern shots like the switch-hit and ramp explained.
Cricket batting encompasses a wide range of strokes, each suited to different deliveries, pitch lengths, and match situations. A complete batter — one capable of scoring in all areas of the ground against both pace and spin — masters the full range of strokes across several years of practice. Understanding each stroke helps cricket fans appreciate the technical skill and decision-making required at the crease.
The Drive Shots
- Cover drive: hit through the covers off the front foot — the most aesthetically celebrated cricket stroke
- Straight drive: hit back past the bowler along the ground
- On drive: hit through mid-on, off the front foot, against deliveries on middle or middle-leg
- Off drive: hit through the off side between cover and mid-off
- Lofted drive: aerial version of any drive, designed to clear the infield
Attacking Shots Against Short Balls
- Pull shot: hit across the line against a short ball rising between waist and shoulder — targeted square or backward of square on the leg side
- Hook shot: similar to pull but against a delivery rising above shoulder height
- Cut shot: hit square or behind point off the back foot against a wide delivery outside off stump
- Upper cut: hit in the air over third man or point against a short, wide delivery above shoulder height
Deflection and Touch Shots
- Glance / leg glance: deflect the ball fine down the leg side against deliveries on leg stump
- Flick: wrist-based shot played off the front foot against full deliveries on the pad
- Paddle sweep: soft deflection sweep played very fine on the leg side against spin
- Nurdle / dab: soft touch to guide the ball through gaps — used by lower-order batters and in tight situations
Modern Innovations
- Switch-hit: batter switches hand position mid-run-up — changing from right to left handed (or vice versa) — to play across the line against spin
- Ramp / scoop: bat held near horizontal and ball scooped over the wicketkeeper's head — effective against yorker-length bowling
- Dilscoop: named after Tillakaratne Dilshan — played against full deliveries by kneeling and scooping over the head
- Reverse sweep: played with the bat reversed against spin — hitting in the opposite direction to the standard sweep
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pull and a hook shot?
Both are played against short-pitched bowling, but at different heights. A pull shot is played against a ball rising between waist and shoulder — the batter plays it with control across the line. A hook shot is played against a ball above shoulder height — it is a more aggressive, riskier stroke given the extra bounce and pace.
What is the switch-hit in cricket?
The switch-hit is a modern batting innovation where the batter switches their hand position and batting stance mid-run-up, effectively playing as the opposite hand. A right-handed batter switches to left-handed, playing a shot in the opposite direction. It is controversial because fielding restrictions cannot be adjusted mid-delivery.