Cricket is one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet. Many online cricket fantasy apps allow cricket fanatics to create their own team and play alongside the real matches. Nonetheless, the sport pays well, especially for players from the top nations, such as India and Australia. Virat Kohli, India’s batting superstar, is worth $90 million, Chris Gayle has a house that would put any five-star hotel to shame, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni possesses a unique collection of superbikes. The BCCI also organises T20 events in which top international players make a lot of money by signing lucrative match contracts. Cricket buffs can also participate in daily fantasy cricket tournaments during the T20 events and earn real cash prizes by making their own dream team. But, despite beginning off wealthy and earning millions, there are several players in the history of cricket that have now fallen into poverty.
Here, we bring you a list of the 5 cricketers who simply went from stardom to poverty within few years of their career.
Arshad Khan
Arshad Khan, a former Pakistani off-spinner, made his international debut against the West Indies in 1997. Arshad appeared in nine Tests and 58 One-Day Internationals. Khan was a reliable bowler, but he was never able to cement a spot in the starting XI. After retiring, the off-spinner moved to Sydney, Australia, where he worked as a cab driver. Post that, in 2020, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired the former cricketer as the bowling coach of the Pakistan women’s national cricket team.
Janardan Navle
Janardan Navle was one of India’s oldest cricketers, having represented the country prior to independence. Navle was a wicketkeeper as well as a batsman. He was a member of the Indian squad that faced England in its first-ever Test match. On June 25, 1932, at Lord’s, Navle made his first Test debut against England. Post his cricket career, Janardan also faced financial difficulties. Due to financial issues, he took up a job as a security guard at a sugar factory in Pune, Maharashtra, and stayed in a two-room apartment. Janardan Navle left the world in 1979.
Matthew Sinclair
Matthew Sinclair, a former New Zealand batsman, is most known for his 214-run innings. Before retiring in July 2013, Sinclair represented New Zealand in 33 Tests and 54 One-Day Internationals. The Australian-born batsman had a bright start to his career, but his inconsistent performances cost him to find a permanent position in the team. He was jobless for a while after his retirement. He had to find work to cover his expenditures because he did not finish his schooling before beginning to play cricket. He is presently employed as a real estate salesperson in Napier, where he is struggling to make ends meet.
Chris Cairns
Chris Cairns was a former New Zealand all-rounder and ODI skipper. He was also an amazing batsman of his time. Cairns played 215 ODIs and 62 Test matches before he announced his retirement in 2006. Chris’s downfall began when he was selected for the infamous Indian Cricket League (ICL). Cairns was accused of fixing a match in the Indian T20 series by the former chairman of the series. He was found not guilty in the case and was awarded a large sum of money in damages. When the match-fixing allegations resurfaced again in 2013, the tide shifted against him. The costs of legal processes eventually put him into bankruptcy, forcing him to work as a cleaner in Auckland.
Adam Hollioake
Adam Hollioake was a former English all-rounder captain, and has made a good earning during his days of the game. Despite this, he resigned from the sport in 2007 to focus on his family’s business in Australia after his elder brother died in a vehicle accident in 2002. Unfortunately, after a year, when the recession hit in 2008, his company’s financial profit plummeted. Three years later, Adam declared that he had gone bankrupt. But still he didn’t lose hope and he went on to learn martial arts. He is now a professional mixed martial artist, and he is making a decent living from this profession.
Conclusion
Cricket is a game that will give you a lot of wealth and name if you give your best. Apart from these cricketers who financially went down, there are many more who were able to keep their fame and stardom even after their retirement.
Read More:
1. The 7 Worst Mistakes Daily Fantasy Cricket India Rookies Make
2. Stirring Advantages Of Playing Online Fantasy Cricket Leagues
3. Double Your Profit With These 5 Tips On Fantasy Cricket Games