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From MSD To Chahal; 5 Cricketers Who Left Other Sports For Cricket

AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni & Ellyse Perry switched to cricket (X)AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni & Ellyse Perry switched to cricket (X)

Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan stunned the world by setting an Olympic record with a 92.97m javelin throw to clinch gold. Interestingly, Nadeem's sporting ambitions initially lay in the cricketing field before he transitioned to track and field events.

His journey into javelin began with a suggestion from his coach in 2016, after he had explored interests in cricket and even table tennis. This shift led him to global acclaim in a different sport entirely.

While Nadeem embraced javelin, other athletes have followed a reverse trajectory, leaving behind promising careers in various sports to pursue cricket.

Their transitions transformed them into some of the most celebrated cricketers and legends of the game. Here’s a look at five players who left other sports for cricket:


5. Yuzvendra Chahal - Chess

Yuzvendra Chahal - Chess (X)Yuzvendra Chahal - Chess (X)

Initially making a name for himself on the international chess circuit, Yuzvendra Chahal competed in the World Youth Chess Championship and played chess from 1997 to 2003.

Despite his success on the chess board, Chahal traded pawns for cricket pitch, a move that proved golden.

As a cunning leg-spinner, Chahal's sharp mind translated beautifully to cricket, where he has become a vital player in India’s white-ball setup.

With 121 ODI wickets and 96 T20I scalps to his name and leading the wicket tally in the IPL with 205 dismissals, Chahal's transition proved to be a masterstroke in his sporting career.

4. Vivian Richards – Football

Sir Vivian Richards - Football (X)Sir Vivian Richards - Football (X)

Vivian Richards once graced the football fields, playing for Antigua and Barbuda in the qualifiers for the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

His football career, although brief, highlighted his athletic versatility and fierce competitiveness. Shifting gears to cricket, Richards used his bat with such formidable power and fearlessness that he redefined batting standards.

His cricketing career is studded with dominance over the best bowlers of his era, instrumental roles in the West Indies' World Cup wins in 1975 and 1979, and a staggering accumulation of 8,540 runs in Tests and 6,721 in ODIs.


3. Ellyse Perry - Football

Ellyse Perry - Football (X)Ellyse Perry - Football (X)

Ellyse Perry's sporting journey began on the football pitch, where she represented Australia's national team, the Matildas, at just 16.

Her formidable presence as a defender was evident in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. Despite the fascination of football, Perry chose to dedicate her energies to cricket, where she has since broken numerous records and set new benchmarks for the Australian Women's team.

Transitioning full-time, she became the first player to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.

With nearly 4,000 ODI runs and over 1,800 T20I runs, along with a substantial wicket haul in both formats, Perry has not only excelled but has transformed women's cricket, becoming one of the legends of the sport.


2. AB de Villiers - Tennis & Golf

AB de Villiers - Tennis and Golf (X)AB de Villiers - Tennis and Golf (X)

AB de Villiers' early days were marked by significant achievements in tennis and golf, being a national number one in tennis during his youth in South Africa.

Despite a promising tennis career highlighted by victories against future tennis stars like Kevin Anderson, de Villiers chose the cricketing pitch over the tennis court.

His cricket career was nothing short of spectacular, known for his audacious and innovative batting, including the iconic 360-degree shots across all formats of the game.

De Villiers amassed 8,765 runs in Tests, 9,577 in ODIs, and contributed significantly in T20Is and the IPL, becoming a cricketing legend known for redefining batting paradigms.

1. MS Dhoni – Football

MS Dhoni - Football (X)MS Dhoni - Football (X)

MS Dhoni’s initial entry into sports was as a goalkeeper in football, where his agility and reflexes caught the eye of his school’s cricket coach.

Swapping his goalie gloves for wicketkeeping ones proved to be a masterstroke. Dhoni's cricket career is the stuff of legends—captaining India to all three ICC trophies.

In international cricket, Dhoni amassed 10,773 ODI runs, 4,876 Test runs, and 1,617 T20I runs, showcasing his brilliance across all formats.

His IPL career is equally distinguished, with 4,978 runs, and he has led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023), cementing his legacy as one of the most successful captains in the history of the tournament.