Ten Best Cover Drive Shot Players in Cricket

A cover drive is one of the most elegant looking shots in cricket. A batter needs to lean forward and take the front foot out and place the ball between mid on and covers which requires balance, technique, timing and placement.

In this piece, we discuss batters who played this shot with utmost fluency. These batters differed in their techniques but they had their own style of playing the cover drive which they implemented to good effect.
We take a look at ten batters who played this shot with authority.

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Arguably one of the finest cover drive players in world cricket, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar played the cover drive with so much elegance that it was a treat to watch.

Whether it was the front foot or the back foot cover drive it played it with aplomb. The former legendary batter scored 18426 runs in ODIs and 15921 runs in tests.

Sourav Ganguly (India)

The former India skipper played the cover drive elegantly into the gap with hardly any power. It was amazing to see how well he found the gaps through covers consistently and without moving his front foot.

Rahul Dravid had once stated, “on the off side first it is god then Sourav Ganguly.” He scored 7212 runs in tests and 11363 runs in ODIs.

Yuvraj Singh (India)

The former India all-rounder was not only known for his six hitting abilities but the way he played some glorious cover drives. His bat swing and his ability to come down to his knees while playing the shot highlighted how well he judged a particular delivery.

The former left hander cover drives where soothing to the eyes of the fans. He scored 8701 runs in ODIs and 1900 runs in tests.

Brian Lara (West Indies)

Arguably one of the most stylish and elegant left handers in World Cricket during the 1990s and 2000s Brian Charles Lara played some magnificent cover drives.

The former skipper had the tendency to shuffle before the bowler released the ball which enabled him to get in the position to play the shot. His front foot as well as lofted cover drives were a combination of power and placement. He scored 10405 runs in ODIs and 11953 runs in tests.

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

It was incredible how Sangakarra maintained his balance on the back foot while playing the cover drive effortlessly.

Whether it was a fully length delivery or a good length delivery the former wicket keeper batter and Sri Lanka skipper played some glorious cover drives by consistently placing the ball. He scored 12400 runs in tests and 14234 runs in ODIs.

Rahul Dravid (India)

Arguably one of the most technically correct batters in World Cricket Dravid played the cover drive leaning forward and placing the ball between the covers and point region with a stubborn footwork and precision.

Dravid would play the front foot as well as the back foot covers drives with a lot of fluidity. “The Wall” as he was fondly called during his playing days scored 13288 runs in tests and 10889 runs in ODIs.

Mark Waugh (Australia)

Although the former Australian opener was known for his wristy flick shots his cover drives were equally elegant with limited footwork.

Mark Waugh played some effortless cover drives opening the full face of the bat. He scored 8500 runs in ODIs and 8209 runs in tests.

Virat Kohli (India)

Arguably one of the finest cover drive players in modern day cricket, Virat Kohli emphasizes on playing the cover drive on the front foot but his full extension of arms gives him room to play the drive on the front foot as well as by standing tall on his feet. He has scored 13848 runs in ODIs, 8848 runs in tests and 4037 runs in T20Is.

Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ponting played the cover drive with grace and elegance as his ability to judge the line was amazing while playing the cover drive.

The former Australian skipper possessed a wide stance while playing the cover drive that enabled him to judge the width early to put the ball in the gaps. Ponting scored 13378 runs in tests and 13704 runs in ODIs.

Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Kallis was a powerful striker of the ball but when it came to playing the cover drive the former South African all rounder opened the full face of the bat with effortless pavement and elegant footwork.

Kallis also possessed a wide stance while playing the cover drive as he could get to the pitch of the ball early. He scored 13289 runs in tests and 11579 runs in ODIs.

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