The top 3 helicopter shots in cricket feature MS Dhoni’s iconic power stroke, Hardik Pandya’s quick-wristed brilliance, and Rashid Khan’s innovative adaptation, all delivering thrilling, unforgettable moments in modern cricket.
3. Rashid Khan – Maratha Arabians vs Pakhtoons | Abu Dhabi T10 League 2018
One player who can play the helicopter almost at all is Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan. The spin bowling-allrounder has repeatedly proven it at Big Bash League, Indian Premier League and many places else what a pinch hitter he is. However, one of his shots that even got Virender Sehwag standing up and applauding from the dugout came during the Abu Dhabi T10 League in 2018.
Batting for the Arabians, Rashid Khan was facing Pakistan’s Mohammad Irfan on the last ball of the 19th over when he effortlessly picked up Irfan’s attempted yorker with the familiar swing and sent it to the stands for a magnificent six.
2. Hardik Pandya – MI vs CSK | IPL – 2019
A Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings clash is always a mouthwatering fixture, mostly because of the number of stars competing in it. This incident took place during a league stage match of IPL 2019 with the hosts batting first at the Wankhede Stadium. After CSK had done a decent job of limiting MI to just 141 runs in 19 overs, Dhoni had handed the last over to his death-over specialist Dwayne Bravo. However, an in-from Hardik Pandya was waiting for the Caribbean star at the other end and eventually hit 29 runs off the last over.
One of the three big sixes Pandya hit Bravo was a helicopter shot. It was the fourth ball of the over when Pandya went deep in his crease to dig up Bravo’s yorker for a six, over cow corner. It was a majestic view, even for the CSK fans.
1. MS Dhoni – India vs Sri Lanka | 2011 ODI World Cup final
With no pressure of winning the most important match of his career as a captain, MS Dhoni had taken down Nuwan Kulasekara’s fuller-length ball with a thunderous helicopter shot. With just four runs needed, Sri Lanka had mentally given up on the World Cup title with Kulasekara’s attempt at bowling the yorker seemingly half-hearted. Dhoni didn’t waste this chance to write his name on the history books as he swung the bat with all his might to send the ball towards long-on for a six as the entire Wankhede Stadium erupted into a roar.
