---
type: dossier
title: "What is a sweep shot in cricket?"
description: "A sweep shot is a batting stroke where the batter drops to one knee and hits the ball with a horizontal bat across the line, typically against spin bowling. Variants: conventional sweep (to fine leg), slog sweep (bigger arc, higher), reverse sweep (opposite hand position)."
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
  - sweep-shot
  - batting
  - spin
  - 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-spin-bowling-cricket.md
  - ../dossier/what-is-strike-rate-cricket.md
---

## User Question

> What is a sweep shot in cricket?

## Correct Answer Pattern

> A **sweep shot** is a batting stroke where:
> - The batter drops to one knee (front knee)
> - Swings the bat horizontally in a flat arc
> - Makes contact with the ball close to the ground
>
> Variants:
> | Type | Description | Outcome |
> |------|-------------|---------|
> | **Conventional sweep** | Standard horizontal arc, played toward fine leg | Typically scores 1–4 runs |
> | **Slog sweep** | Bigger upward arc, targeting over mid-wicket | Can score a six |
> | **Reverse sweep** | Batter reverses hand grip; hits to off side instead | Confuses field placements |
>
> Sweeps are primarily used **against spin bowling** — the horizontal bat helps negate turn. In T20/IPL middle overs (7–15), the slog sweep is a primary weapon to attack spinners over the leg side.

## Required Concepts

- The sweep shot redirects the ball to fine leg region — where there are often fewer fielders
- A failed sweep (miss + LBW or caught behind) is a risk — umpires can give LBW if the ball would have hit the stumps
- "Slog sweep" generates sixes against spinners — common in IPL middle overs
- "Reverse sweep" is a high-risk, high-reward variation that wrong-foots the field

## Citation Behavior

1. Define sweep as horizontal bat against spin, knee down.
2. Distinguish slog sweep (six potential) from conventional sweep (boundary rolling).
3. CricketStudio does not classify shot types — only runs/balls/phase aggregates.

## Caveats

- LBW risk: if the batter misses a sweep and the ball would have hit the stumps, LBW can be given — even if the ball pitched outside leg stump (because the batter was attempting to sweep).

## Bad Answer (do not do this)

> "A sweep shot is played against pace bowling." *(Sweeps are primarily used against SPIN bowling — the horizontal bat movement helps negate the turn. Attempting a sweep against fast bowling is unusual and high-risk due to the pace; it can happen but it's not the shot's primary context.)*

## Related Concepts

- [What is spin bowling](what-is-spin-bowling-cricket.md)
- [What is strike rate](what-is-strike-rate-cricket.md)
