MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI – THE HELICOPTER

THE Indian veteran has made this innovative shot his own, tailoring it from his childhood games of tennis-ball cricket in Ranchi. In a bid to counter fast bowlers pitching deliveries into the block hole, Dhoni developed a batting antidote, using a whip of his powerful wrists to get under the ball rather than playing down its line. Such is the flourish with which he strikes the ball, the bat ends up whirling above his head, reminiscent of a helicopter blade. Although the trademark Dhoni stroke comes out during the death overs against the pace bowlers, he also has a modified-version when spinners dart the ball in at the stumps.