IPL 2025: Batting and bowling variations popularised by T20
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has transformed cricket by showcasing and popularizing unconventional shots and deliveries, introducing fans to tactics they’d never seen before. In the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, players regularly push the boundaries of creativity, bringing thrilling new elements to both batting and bowling. Here are five unique variations that have become essential in T20 cricket, offering glimpses of how the game keeps evolving.
Batting and bowling variations popularised by T20
1. Switch Hit
The switch hit is a striking twist on the traditional sweep, where the batter changes their grip and stance mid-shot, switching from right-handed to left-handed (or vice-versa) to fool the bowler. This shot, often associated with players like Kevin Pietersen, turns the match dynamics upside down by making it challenging for bowlers to predict the batter’s intentions.
While some argue the shot provides an unfair advantage, the switch hit remains a legal play, delighting crowds and keeping bowlers on their toes.
2. Dilscoop
The Dilscoop, a daring innovation by Sri Lankan batter Tillekeratne Dilshan, involves lifting the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head, targeting the fine leg boundary. Inspired initially by Zimbabwe’s Douglas Marillier, Dilshan’s refinement of this shot gave it new prominence.
Batters who attempt this play show both skill and audacity, as it requires exceptional timing to avoid an embarrassing dismissal. When executed well, the Dilscoop is a powerful tool against bowlers who aim short deliveries at the body, adding an unexpected twist to traditional shot-making.
3. Wide Yorker
The wide yorker is a modern adaptation of the classic yorker, designed to thwart a batter’s ability to get under the ball. With the rise of T20 leagues, batters have become adept at countering traditional yorkers by moving within the crease.
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To counter this, bowlers place the yorker just outside the batter’s reach, closer to the off-stump. This tactic minimizes the batter’s ability to hit big shots and often forces them into risky plays. In today’s game, the wide yorker is a vital component of a bowler’s T20 arsenal, offering a precision tool for keeping runs in check.
4. Slow Bouncer
In the T20 format, off-speed deliveries have become essential for confounding batters, and the slow bouncer is one of the most effective variations. This delivery appears to be a bouncer, yet it arrives slower than expected, often deceiving the batter and resulting in a mistimed shot.
Mastering the slow bouncer requires pinpoint accuracy; if bowled well, it can induce a false shot, potentially leading to a wicket. However, if mistimed, the slow bouncer can become a scoring opportunity for the batter, highlighting the high-stakes nature of this clever variation.
5. Natmeg
The Natmeg shot, pioneered by England’s Natalie Sciver, provides a creative solution for handling yorker-length deliveries. In this shot, the batter deflects the ball between their legs to the on-side, inspired by the football move ‘nutmeg,’ where a player passes the ball between an opponent’s legs.
Sciver’s ingenuity inspired other players, and the shot even made an appearance in men’s cricket when Jonny Bairstow pulled it off during a T20 match. The Natmeg is rare and challenging to execute, requiring precision and quick reflexes, but it showcases the limitless potential for innovation in cricket.
What makes these shots and deliveries so effective in T20 cricket?
T20 cricket emphasizes scoring quickly and taking wickets efficiently. These shots and deliveries add unpredictability, forcing batters and bowlers to adapt constantly, which is key in this format.
Who introduced the switch hit?
While the switch hit has been played by several cricketers, Kevin Pietersen is one of the most recognized players to popularize it in modern cricket.
Is the Dilscoop a common shot?
The Dilscoop, while iconic, requires such precise skill that only a handful of players use it confidently in matches.
What is the wide yorker’s advantage?
The wide yorker targets a batter’s reach, reducing their chance to hit the ball for a boundary. It’s effective for limiting runs in the death overs.
Is the Natmeg a practical shot in regular cricket?
While it’s more of a novelty, the Natmeg has become a fun and effective shot to surprise bowlers in T20 cricket.
