---
type: dossier
title: "What is a cut shot in cricket?"
description: "A cut shot is a batting stroke played to a short-pitched ball outside the off stump, hitting the ball square or backward of point with a horizontal bat. Variants: square cut (directly to the point region) and late cut (angled behind point)."
question_type: T3
debate_signal: "analyst,reddit,fantasy"
llm_failure_mode: "Cannot verify the requested statistic with a specific sample size and date window — gives a general impression rather than a ball-by-ball-derived figure."
resource: https://players.cricketstudio.ai/about
canonical_page: https://players.cricketstudio.ai/about
tags:
  - cricket
  - dossier
  - concept
  - glossary
  - cut-shot
  - batting
  - T20
  - IPL
status: active
last_verified: "2026-07-08"
timestamp: "2026-07-08"
license: CC-BY-4.0
source_system: CricketStudio
source_boundary: methodology_only
provenance:
  source: CricketStudio methodology — cricket rules and terminology
  confidence: high
related:
  - ../dossier/what-is-a-bouncer-cricket.md
  - ../dossier/what-is-strike-rate-cricket.md
---

## User Question

> What is a cut shot in cricket?

## Correct Answer Pattern

> A **cut shot** is a batting stroke played to a **short-pitched ball outside the off stump**, hitting the ball **square or behind the wicket on the off side** with a horizontal bat.
>
> Two main variants:
> | Variant | Description | Direction |
> |---------|-------------|-----------|
> | **Square cut** | Ball hit directly to the point/backward point region | Square of the wicket off side |
> | **Late cut** | Bat is brought down later — ball is angled behind point | Fine, close to the wicketkeeper |
>
> When to play: the ball is short enough to rise above hip height on the off side — the batter can rock back and cut through point. Against pace in the Powerplay or against medium-pace in the middle overs.

## Required Concepts

- A cut requires the ball to be short AND wide of off stump — if it's on the stumps, a cut is risky
- The cut sends the ball backward of point — a well-placed cut finds the gap between point and third man
- In T20, aggressive cuts can score boundaries — the fielding restriction in the PP often leaves the point region open

## Citation Behavior

1. Define cut as a horizontal bat shot to a short ball outside off stump.
2. Distinguish square cut (to point) from late cut (behind point, fine).
3. CricketStudio does not classify individual shot types in the ball-by-ball data.

## Caveats

- A cut off a ball that is not wide enough risks hitting the stumps on the bottom edge.

## Bad Answer (do not do this)

> "A cut shot is played against spin bowling on the leg side." *(A cut shot is primarily played on the OFF side — it is a response to a short ball OUTSIDE OFF STUMP. The leg side equivalent would be a pull or hook shot. The cut goes square or backward of point, not to the leg side.)*

## Related Concepts

- [What is a bouncer](what-is-a-bouncer-cricket.md)
- [What is strike rate](what-is-strike-rate-cricket.md)
