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Five batsmen who invented innovative shots

South Africa v West Indies - One Day International Series
De Villiers is known for his innovative shots

The stereotypical image of cricket evokes tradition, class and a stately pace. However, It is equally true that as time has passed, the game has evolved drastically.

From limited overs' cricket to colored clothing, from carrom balls to reverse sweeps, cricket has been enriched by innovations.

We take a look at some great batsmen who invented cricket shots that have entered the annals of the game and become part of the global repertoire of stroke-making.


#5 Ranjit Sinhji

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The Ranji Trophy was named after him

The grandfather of Indian cricket, Ranjit Sinhji has had the Ranji trophy named after him. Ranji, as he was popularly known, was a king, both in his style and lineage.

Sinhji is, to this day, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game and was called by noted cricket writer Neville Cardus as the 'midsummer night's dream of cricket".

Ranji played Test cricket for England and first-class cricket for both Cambridge and Sussex. His inclusion in this list is inevitable as he was the most inventive batsman of his time and is credited with coming up with the most delicate cricketing shot possible, the leg glance; the push off the hips to a faster ball that runs off to the boundary with the minimum effort.

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