5 unorthodox cricket shots behind the wicket

4. Paddle Sweep & Reverse Paddle Sweep

Another invention in the name of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, the paddle sweep was often used by him against the spinners. In the 1998 ODI series against Australia in Sharjah, Tendulkar used the paddle sweep to counter Shane Warne.

With fine leg rarely very fine in those days, the paddle sweep became an easy boundary shot. It is similar to a normal sweep but unlike the orthodox one, does not require much power. It is a deft touch past the keeper using the pace of the spinner.

A cross-batted shot with the face of the bat coming down on top of the ball, its success meant that many more players started using the shot, especially in T20s. Gautam Gambhir was an excellent player of the paddle sweep and to date plays it in the IPL against the slower bowlers.

The reverse paddle sweep is a variation of the paddle sweep – only that this one is hit in the air and over third man. A literal scoop by switching the hold of the hands on the bat, the shot aims to use the bowler's pace to generate power. England no.3, Joe Root played the shot to perfection and fetched a six against South Africa in the World T20 2016.

Another young Indian domestic player, Sarfaraz Khan, is also known to play the shot. The 18-year-old lad played the shot a few times during the IPL in 2016 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Eoin Morgan of England and Colin Munro of New Zealand are other players known to try the shot in International Matches.