When Sachin Tendulkar played Helicopter shot even before MS Dhoni’s international debut

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the finest cricketers to have ever graced the game and his records speak volumes of his prowess. The wicket-keeper batsman can change the course of the game with both bat and gloves in hand, and his sharp cricket mind is the cherry on the cake. Riding on his prowess, India has won numerous series and tournaments.

While Dhoni has many shots in his arsenal to trouble bowlers, his helicopter hit is his signature shot. Yorker is deemed as one of the hardest balls to score runs off. However, Dhoni’s unique shot allows him to get underneath the yorker delivery and send it out of the park. Several prominent bowlers like Lasith Malinga, James Anderson, and James Faulkner have become victims of Dhoni’s unique strike.

MS Dhoni certainly deserves the credit for popularizing the helicopter shot and it is even believed that the wicketkeeper-batsman has invented this hit. Contrary to the popular claims, however, a video of Sachin Tendulkar playing the helicopter shot before Dhoni’s international debut is getting viral. The clip is from a 2002 ODI match against England while the Ranchi-born cricketer received his maiden Team India cap in 2004.

Sachin Tendulkar’s helicopter shot

In the clip, Tendulkar can be seen smashing former England pacer James Kirtley for a boundary at the deep mid-wicket region. The right-arm fast bowler delivered a full-length delivery to contain the Master Blaster. However, Tendulkar cleared his front leg and got underneath the ball just like Dhoni does. His bat swing was also quite similar to that of the wicketkeeper-batsman’s. The clip is getting viral like wildfire and it was believed that Dhoni introduced the helicopter shot.

When @sachin_rt played a Helicopter shot😍 💥 pic.twitter.com/h47K4lCFTZ

— Wear a Mask | Sachinist (@Sachinist) February 26, 2021

Meanwhile, Tendulkar played the unique shot in the fifth match of the famous 2002 Natwest Trophy. Coming to bat at number four in Chester-le-Street, Tendulkar paced his knock to perfection and slammed a magnificent century. He, in total, scored 105 off 108 deliveries as the Men in Blue posted 285/4 while batting first. However, the match was later called off due to rain and the points were shared. Nevertheless, India went on to win the title.