Who taught MS Dhoni iconic 'Helicopter Shot'? – Instances of India

NEW DELHI: Everybody is aware of the destruction MS Dhoni has unleashed on opponents together with his iconic “Helicopter Shot” when the stress is on.
Nonetheless, few are accustomed to Santosh Lal, the person behind Dhoni’s well-known shot.
Rising up taking part in cricket collectively in Ranchi, Santosh and Dhoni have been shut associates lengthy earlier than Dhoni grew to become a family identify.
Whereas Dhoni’s rise to fame is well-documented, only a few individuals know that the signature “Helicopter Shot”, which Dhoni used to dominate bowlers worldwide, was really taught to him by Santosh Lal.
Santosh was a gifted cricketer with a pure aptitude for the sport. He had a novel skill to whip the ball off his legs with a robust flick of the wrists, sending it flying over the boundary in a approach that appeared easy.
This unconventional shot grew to become often called the helicopter shot, and it was one thing Santosh had mastered throughout his native cricketing days.
Dhoni, all the time eager to study, picked up the shot from Santosh throughout their matches collectively.
“He (Santosh) and Dhoni would play tennis ball video games endlessly. They each labored for the Railways. Santosh was fearless as a batsman,” Nishant Dayal, an outdated pal of Santosh, as soon as advised The Indian Categorical. “Over time, Dhoni could have patented the ‘helicopter shot’ however rising up, there was somebody who was higher at it. Dhoni all the time admired his batting type. And Santosh taught him to play the helicopter shot.”

Whereas Dhoni went on to attain worldwide fame, changing into some of the profitable captains in cricket historical past, Santosh’s life took a unique path.
He performed cricket on the state degree however by no means reached the nationwide stage. Regardless of this, his bond with Dhoni remained sturdy, and their friendship was a supply of satisfaction for each.
In 2013, Santosh fell severely sick with pancreatitis. Dhoni, who was then on the peak of his profession, did every little thing he may to assist his pal.
He even organized for Santosh to be airlifted to Delhi for superior medical therapy. Sadly, regardless of Dhoni’s efforts, Santosh handed away on the age of 32.
Santosh Lal’s contribution to cricket will not be as widely known as Dhoni’s, however his legacy lives on within the helicopter shot that has thrilled tens of millions of followers.