Ten Best Cut Shot Players in Cricket

A cut is one of the most elegant-looking shots in cricket that needs solid technique, balance, hand-eye coordination, strong wrists, and the ability to split the gap between the point and cover fielder. When it comes to a late cut, a batter needs to find the gap between the point and the third-man area.

In this piece, we discuss ten batters who played the cut shot effortlessly and flawlessly. These batters differed in their technique but they showcased solidity with their strokeplay while playing the cut shots. We take a look at these ten batters:

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar played some magnificent cover drives but when it came to playing the cut shot, the former legend was equally classy. Whether he faced a pacer or a spinner, Tendulkar played some cracking cuts laden with power and effortless timing. He changed his technique while playing the cuts, depending on the wickets.

Rahul Dravid (India)

‘The Wall’ as he was fondly called during his playing days cut the ball with elegance and fine placement. The former India legend showcased tremendous balance while cutting the ball and finding the gaps. The former right-hander’s solid technique and classic footwork aided him in playing cut shots even on bouncy wickets on the back foot as well as the front foot.

Brian Lara (West Indies)

Lara played some cracking cut shots by standing tall on his toes. The former West Indian skipper and legend found the gap with ease in the outfield with his timing and powerful bottom hand. Lara could cut the ball on the back foot as well as the front foot, as his bat speed allowed him to generate enough power.

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

Jayasuriya was a nightmare for the opposition bowlers with his destructive hitting abilities. The former Sri Lankan opener and skipper cut the ball between point and cover or over the point area. The former left-hander cut the ball with enough power that even a mistimed shot would clear the boundary.

Virender Sehwag (India)

The ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ as he was fondly called was a powerful striker who destroyed any bowling lineup on his day. The former opener and right-hander played some destructive cut shots as he developed his own variations when it came to his late cuts over slips and the third-man fielder for a six.

Gordon Greenidge (West Indies)

Greenidge was one of the best cutters during the 1970s and 1980s. The former West Indian opener and right-hander could judge the length early and cut the ball effortlessly in the gap on the back foot. Greenidge’s cuts were laden with timing and placement rather than power.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Gayle’s back lift and bat speed enabled him to smash the ball through the cut shot over point even when a delivery was bowled at around the good-length area. His quick hands and powerful forearms helped him generate power, while his reach allowed him to clear the boundary easily. The Jamaican and former left-hander destroyed the best bowling lineups with his powerful hitting abilities.

Alastair Cook (England)

Arguably one of the finest openers in England’s test cricket history, Cook never hit the ball too hard but caressed the ball in the gaps with his timing and placement. The former left-hander and skipper was quick to find the gaps with his elegant cuts when the bowler offered any width outside the off-stump.

He played the ball between point and covers or between point and third man. His solid technique enabled him to play cuts in all types of wickets.

Adam Gilchrist (Australia)

Arguably one of the most destructive openers in Australian cricket, Adam Gilchrist destroyed the best bowling units with his powerful striking abilities. The former wicketkeeper batter was a strong cutter of the ball, as he cut the ball with power and exemplary timing. The former left-hander cut the ball over the point fielder, and as soon as the ball was short of length, Gilchrist would cut it over covers.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)

Although Dilshan was known for his Dilscoop, he cut the ball with immense power and accuracy. He would cut the ball over point, and he had the ability to cut even a good-length delivery outside the off stump. His hand-eye coordination made him judge the length early that was outside the off stump.

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