Sachin Tendulkar, one of cricket’s greatest legends, was famous for his vast range of shots that showcased his technical brilliance and versatility. His shot-making was a seamless blend of mastery and timing. With his ability to play all kinds of strokes against any type of bowling, Tendulkar became one of the most feared and admired batsmen in the sport.
Tendulkar’s technique was one of the finest in cricket. His balance, footwork, and head position were perfect. Whether facing pace or spin, he ensured his body was in the correct position before playing a shot. His compact stance made him strong on both the front and back foot, equally effective in defense and attack.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Iconic Upper Cut Shot
Sachin Tendulkar talks about how he came up with his famous upper cut shot 🤩 @sachin_rt pic.twitter.com/SNFmq3FHnD
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 17, 2024
Tendulkar popularized the upper cut during the later stages of his career. This shot involved slicing a short-pitched ball over the slips or third-man boundary, making it a powerful weapon, especially against fast bowlers. A video circulating online shows Tendulkar explaining how he developed and perfected the upper cut.
While discussing short-pitched deliveries from pacers, Tendulkar says in the video, “We were advised to leave balls shorter than that and let them go, because it was hard to keep the ball down. If you tried, it would be at a perfect catching height for fielders.”
He further explains, “In 2001, during a match against South Africa in Bloemfontein, I realized being on top of the ball wasn’t helping score runs. So, I decided to get under the ball and hit it over the slip cordon. In Test cricket, a third man is rarely positioned, making it a scoring opportunity instead of letting the ball go. My instinct was always to hit the ball and score runs.”
Mastering the Upper Cut Shot Against the Fastest Bowlers
Tendulkar’s upper cut shot against speedsters like Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar highlighted his exceptional hand-eye coordination, fast reflexes, and deep understanding of technique. Both Lee and Akhtar bowled consistently at speeds over 150 kmph, but Tendulkar skillfully used their pace to his advantage.
Brett Lee, known for his lightning-fast deliveries and aggressive bowling, often tested batsmen with short balls outside off-stump. Tendulkar, with his sharp footwork and technique, utilized Lee’s pace to execute his cut shot. Playing it late, he used the width Lee offered, sending the ball racing past backward point or gully. The late cut was one of Tendulkar’s signature shots against Lee.
Shoaib Akhtar, nicknamed the “Rawalpindi Express,” was another bowler Tendulkar faced with great confidence. During the 2003 World Cup and India’s 2004 tour of Pakistan, Tendulkar regularly used the cut shot to tackle Akhtar’s fierce, short-pitched deliveries. He cleverly found gaps between point and gully to score runs off Akhtar’s quick deliveries.
A Memorable Moment: The 2003 World Cup
One of the most iconic moments in cricket history was Sachin Tendulkar’s upper cut against Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup. He sent a short-pitched ball over third man for a six, thrilling cricket fans around the world. While it was more of an upper cut than a traditional cut shot, this moment highlighted Tendulkar’s brilliance in using a bowler’s speed to his advantage.
Tendulkar’s ability to play the cut shot late allowed him to control the ball’s direction, even when it went airborne, often sending it over the fielders or into the stands. His quick footwork and precise positioning helped him adapt to the ball’s bounce and pace, ensuring he could manipulate the field with accuracy.
Even against fast bowlers like Brett Lee and Shoaib Akhtar, Tendulkar’s exceptional control and technique ensured that the ball found the gaps, effortlessly racing to the boundary. His cut shots, particularly his upper cut, are etched in cricketing history, demonstrating his ability to neutralize extreme pace with technical superiority.
Tendulkar’s combination of flawless technique, mental toughness, and adaptability made him one of the most complete and successful batsmen in the game’s history.
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