T20 cricket has revolutionized the sport, transforming it into a high octane entertainment show filled with big hits, innovative stroke play, and moments that live on in fans’ memories forever. While the shorter format may not allow batters to settle in as they do in Test or ODI cricket, it has encouraged them to develop and master a variety of shots that are as risky as they are rewarding Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
In this article, we explore the 10 Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History, including their technical brilliance, match impact, and the players who made them legendary. We’ve also included career stats tables to back their influence in T20 cricket .
List of 10 Most Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History
10. The Square Cut
VVS Laxman
The Square Cut is similar to the Cut Shot but hit more square on the off side. It is a combination of power and placement. VVS Laxman, although not known for T20s, played this shot with immense grace Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
Similar to the cut shot but played square on the off-side, the Square Cut was a signature stroke of VVS Laxman. Though he didn’t play many T20s, his elegance inspired generations.
VVS Laxman
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 4 |
| Total Runs | 155 |
| Batting Average | 38.75 |
| Strike Rate | 122.03 |
| Highest Score | 52 |
9. The Cut Shot
The Cut Shot is played off the back foot to balls wide of off stump. It is precise and helps in scoring boundaries through point and backward point. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell are known for using this shot efficiently Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
These batsmen show how classical shots evolve in T20’s modern landscape.
Glenn Maxwell
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 106 |
| Total Runs | 2,150 |
| Batting Average | 29.04 |
| Strike Rate | 155.01 |
| Highest Score | 145* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 111 |
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8. The Straight Drive
The Straight Drive is perhaps the most beautiful shot in cricket. It is played directly down the ground, and when done right, the ball travels like a bullet between the bowler and the stumps Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
Sachin Tendulkar was a master of the straight drive, and Virat Kohli has carried on the tradition with elegance.
Sachin Tendulka
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 96 |
| Total Runs | 2,334 |
| Batting Average | 33.83 |
| Strike Rate | 119.82 |
| Highest Score | 100* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 29 |
7. Pull Shot
The Pull Shot is played against short balls. The batter rocks back and hits the ball toward the midwicket or square leg boundary. It is all about timing and control Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
Rohit Sharma is one of the best in the world at playing the pull shot, and now Shubman Gill is following in his footsteps.
Rohit Sharma
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 151 |
| Total Runs | 3,974 |
| Batting Average | 31.63 |
| Strike Rate | 139.97 |
| Highest Score | 118 |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 190 |
Shubman Gill
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 14 |
| Total Runs | 335 |
| Batting Average | 25.76 |
| Strike Rate | 147.58 |
| Highest Score | 126* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 17 |
6. Flick Shot
The Flick Shot uses the batsman’s wrists to send the ball from leg stump or middle stump areas toward the square leg or midwicket boundary. It’s graceful and very effective against medium-pace or spin bowling Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
Virat Kohli is widely known for his perfect flick shots that often result in boundaries without the ball being hit too hard.
Virat Kohli
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 127 |
| Total Runs | 4,008 |
| Batting Average | 52.73 |
| Strike Rate | 137.96 |
| Highest Score | 122* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 117 |
5. Cover Drive
The Cover Drive is one of the most graceful shots in cricket. It is played by leaning into a delivery and driving it through the covers. Although it is a classic shot, it is still widely used in T20s for boundary scoring Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and David Warner have all made the cover drive their go to shot for stylish boundary hitting.
Kane Williamson
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 87 |
| Total Runs | 2,468 |
| Batting Average | 33.29 |
| Strike Rate | 123.68 |
| Highest Score | 95 |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 58 |
David Warner
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 137 |
| Total Runs | 4,676 |
| Batting Average | 39.10 |
| Strike Rate | 143.09 |
| Highest Score | 100 |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 240 |
Virat Kohli
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 127 |
| Total Runs | 4,008 |
| Batting Average | 52.73 |
| Strike Rate | 137.96 |
| Highest Score | 122* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 117 |
4. Reverse Sweep
The Reverse Sweep is a shot played by switching the hands slightly and hitting the ball in the opposite direction of a normal sweep. It is most commonly used against spinners, especially when there are no fielders on the off side Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
AB de Villiers also played the Reverse Sweep with uncanny perfection. Joe Root & ABD helped make the shot mainstream, combining elegance with power Both AB de Villiers and Joe Root used this shot effectively in pressure situations.
Joe Root
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 32 |
| Total Runs | 893 |
| Batting Average | 35.72 |
| Strike Rate | 126.30 |
| Highest Score | 90 |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 24 |
3. Scoop Shot
The Dilscoop is a brave and unpredictable shot played by going down on one knee and scooping the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head. It first gained attention during the 2009 T20 World Cup, thanks to Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
The shot changed how bowlers had to think, especially in the powerplay. It forced captains to place a fielder behind the keeper, which was never done before.
Tillakaratne Dilshan
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 80 |
| Total Runs | 1,889 |
| Batting Average | 28.19 |
| Strike Rate | 120.54 |
| Highest Score | 104* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 35 |
2. Ramp Shot
The Ramp Shot is played by guiding the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head. It requires quick judgment, perfect timing, and bravery, especially against fast bowlers. The batter uses the pace of the ball and just angles the bat to lift it over short fine leg Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
This shot became popular thanks to AB de Villiers and Jos Buttler, who both used it brilliantly in T20 matches to find boundaries in unguarded areas.
AB de Villiers
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 78 |
| Total Runs | 1,672 |
| Batting Average | 26.12 |
| Strike Rate | 135.16 |
| Highest Score | 79* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 60 |
Jos Buttler
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 121 |
| Total Runs | 3,157 |
| Batting Average | 35.49 |
| Strike Rate | 144.48 |
| Highest Score | 101* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 108 |
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1. Helicopter Shot
The Helicopter Shot is one of the most unique and aggressive shots in cricket. It is played mainly against yorkers or full-length balls. The batter swings the bat in a full circle, like a helicopter blade, using the bottom hand to generate huge power Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
This shot was made famous by MS Dhoni, who used it often in the death overs to hit sixes even from impossible deliveries. His powerful wrists and timing made this stroke almost impossible to stop.
MS Dhoni
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 98 |
| Total Runs | 1,617 |
| Batting Average | 37.60 |
| Strike Rate | 126.13 |
| Highest Score | 56* |
| T20 Sixes Hit | 52 |
These iconic shots have changed the way cricket is played. From Dhoni’s helicopter to Dilshan’s scoop, each stroke represents evolution, creativity, and a new era of bold cricket. Some shots rely on timing and elegance, while others depend on raw power and courage Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.
In T20 cricket, these shots do more than just add runs they create moments, break pressure, and thrill millions. The players behind these shots have not only rewritten how the game is played but have also left a legacy that future generations will follow Iconic Shots in T20 Cricket History.