The game of cricket has come a long way since its inception and just like with any sport, there have been a plethora of innovations in the game. Sometimes the changes were implemented by the officials but sometimes the batsmen and bowlers contributed in the innovations.

One thing is for sure that all these changes or innovations brought more excitement to cricket. Here are some of those innovative shots invented by modern-day batsmen.

• Kevin Pietersen (Switch-Hit)

English batsman Kevin Pietersen is one of the most talented and innovative batsmen in the history of cricket. He is also technically sound along with the ability to ability to play versatile shots.

Switch-hot was one of the most popular cricketing shots in world invented by KP. A batsman would switch his stance from a right-hander to a left-hander or vice-versa just before the ball was played would upset the bowlers and batsman could exploit areas that were not covered. Now, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell have become the players who play this shot pretty consistently but it wouldn’t have been possible without the England batsman.

• AB de Villiers (Reverse Scoop)

TSouth African batting star AB De Villiers has also been known as “Mr.360″ and reverse scoop is the shot which earned him that title. The shot involves switching hands and reverse scooping over the third man. The shot requires perfect timing and a great hand-eye coordination but De Villiers being the batsman that he is, plays it with ease.

Most of these batsmen in the world are one of the best but shots like these that set players like De Villiers apart from the rest.

• Virender Sehwag (Uppercut)

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has always been known as a nightmare for most of the bowlers in the world. His attacking batting style has destroyed almost every bowling attack in the world. One of his most popular shots was the uppercut above the third man to any short ball. This shot helped Sehwag create a threat on fast bowlers in the first few overs.

Any short ball bowled outside the off-stump was cut away for six and this reduced the options for the bowlers to bowl in that area. By applying pressure on the bowlers, Sehwag was able to psychologically discourage them and let them dance on his fingers.

• T. Dilshan (Dilscoop)

Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan invented the Dilscoop, which was a popular shot and it is one shot that is almost impossible to defend. The batsman would bend over and scoop the ball over the wicket-keeper. The ball would go for a six or a four in an area where there is no chance of a fielder.

• MS Dhoni (Helicopter shot)

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni became famous in his initial days of international cricket due to his explosive style of batting and quick wicket-keeping. He was also an intelligent captain who has won every mega event of ICC which was there to win. However, one of the factors that drove Dhoni to fame was the Helicopter shot.

Dhoni is recognized for having invented the shot where any ball bowled at Yorker or near full length would get dispatched for a six. It requires enormous backhand power and quick hands – both of which Dhoni has. He has played that shot multiple times and won hearts all over.