It was kind of primitive in the way that MS Dhoni made his international cricket debut. With a hint of raw strength in his play, the young man with the long hair employed an unorthodox tactic. His innings of 148 against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam and his outstanding 183 not out against Sri Lanka made the world aware of his exceptional abilities.
The “Helicopter shot,” which has been a signature of Dhoni’s, has gained immense fame. Still one of the most thrilling contributions to the modern canon, this stroke is remarkable for its sheer force, quickness, and fearlessness. Wafting the bat with that famous follow-through after making contact with the ball is an exclusive club that not many individuals can achieve.
Santosh Lal: The person responsible for MS Dhoni’s famous helicopter shot
It’s said that Dhoni learned the shot from his friend and former Jharkhand player, Santosh Lal. The Indian skipper Lal tried it out when they were younger and got really good at it. After Dhoni elevated things, the rest is history. Sadly, Lal died at the young age of 29.
Around 2011, when Dhoni’s shot became widely known, there were whispers circulating that Sachin Tendulkar had made an earlier attempt at it. Watch the video below to see him execute a similar feat in a Durham one-day international (ODI) versus England at Chester-le-Street.
A similar shot may have been made by Tendulkar in 2002, but Dhoni was the one who perfected it and made it the norm. In a 2006 ODI against England in Goa, there was presumably the first confirmed sighting of such shot. Dhoni hit a powerful shot into the stands.
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“Just watch the back-lift and the follow-through at the moment of impact!” exclaimed legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham once during a broadcast. Although I’m not exactly sure what he did, it was incredibly effective—almost to the point where he nearly toppled down.
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