NEW DELHI: Everyone knows the destruction MS Dhoni unleash on opponents with your iconic “Helicopter shot“when the pressure is on.
However, few are familiar with Santosh Lalthe man behind Dhoni’s famous shot.
Growing up in play cricket together in Ranchi, Santosh and Dhoni were close friends long before Dhoni became a household name.
Although Dhoni’s rise to fame is well documented, very few people know that the signature “Helicopter Shot” that Dhoni used to dominate bowling across the world was actually learned by him from Santosh Lal.
Santosh was a talented cricketer with a natural flair for the game. He had the unique ability to get the ball off his feet with a powerful flick of the wrists, sending it flying over the boundary in a manner that looked effortless.
This unconventional shot came to be known as the chopper shot and was something Santosh had mastered during his local cricket days.
Dhoni, who was always willing to learn, picked up the batting from Santosh during their matches together.
“He (Santosh) and Dhoni used to play tennis ball games endlessly. Both worked in the railways. Santosh was fearless as a batsman,” Nishant Dayalan old friend of Santosh once told The Indian Express. “Over the years, Donnie may have patented the ‘helicopter kick’ but growing up there was someone who was better at it. Dhoni has always admired his batting style. And Santosh taught him to play a chopper shot.”
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While Dhoni achieved international fame, becoming one of the most successful captains in the history of cricket, Santosh’s life took a different path.
He played cricket at the state level but never made it to the national stage. However, his bond with Dhoni remained strong and their friendship was a source of pride for both of them.
In 2013, Santosh became seriously ill with pancreatitis. Dhoni, then at the peak of his career, did everything he could to help his friend.
He even arranged for Santosh to be airlifted to Delhi for advanced medical treatment. Unfortunately, despite Dhoni’s efforts, Santosh passed away at the age of 32.
Santosh Lal’s contribution to cricket may not be as widely recognized as Dhoni’s, but his legacy lives on in the helicopter photo that moved millions of fans.
