The Pull Shot in Cricket: How to Play the Short-Ball Response
The pull shot is played to a short-pitched delivery rising toward the body or chest. Learn the technique, when to use it, and how the best batters manage the risk.
What Is the Pull Shot?
The pull shot is a horizontal bat shot played to a short-pitched delivery that rises toward the chest or head. The batter rocks back onto the back foot and swings the bat across the line, sending the ball toward the square or backward square leg region on the leg side.
Pull vs Hook: Key Difference
The pull and hook shots are often confused. The pull is played to a delivery rising at chest height or below, directing the ball toward mid-wicket or square leg. The hook is played to a delivery that rises above chest height toward the head — it is more aggressive and targets the fine leg or backward square region.
How to Play the Pull Shot
- Identify the short-pitched delivery early — weight shifts to back foot
- Move back and across to get inside the line of the delivery
- Swing the bat horizontally at chest or waist height
- Strike the ball with full bat face and roll the wrists over on contact
- Direct the shot through mid-wicket or square leg, keeping it down
When to Use the Pull
The pull is most effective against fast bowlers who overpitch short, on pitches with even bounce. Batters like Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, and Brian Lara have been outstanding pull-shot players who could time the shot to the boundary at will.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pull shot a safe shot in cricket?
The pull is relatively safe when timed well to a delivery below chest height, but dangerous against very short balls that climb toward the head. A top edge off a quick short ball is one of the most common wicket-taking dismissals in pace bowling.
What fielding positions are set for the pull shot?
Captains set deep square leg, fine leg, and sometimes backward square leg to catch top edges off the pull. Aggressive fields for short bowling also include a short fine leg inside the circle.