4 International Cricketers Who Played Other Sports Before Cricket

There are several excellent cricket players who dabbled in other sports before discovering their passion for the game. While many athletes specialise in one sport, there are also some exceptions that are skilled and expert in a variety of other sports. Despite the fact that it is hard for individuals to balance both, a lot of them have done so with great effort, but have finally chosen to focus solely on a single sport as a career. Many of the players in online fantasy cricket were also associated with some other sports before they began their career in cricket. There are a few cricketers who excel in other sports and also represented their country at the international level. They eventually elected to stick to cricket and are now regarded as legends of the game.

In this article, we will discuss about 4 cricketers who were previously associated with other sports before getting settled as one of the best bowlers or batsmen.

Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain, completed his career as one of the best batsmen in international cricket for the Black Caps. With his pure spirit, he not only awed the audience with his blazing knocks with the bat, but he also remained the ideal brand ambassador for the gentlemen sport. Brendon McCullum had played rugby for his school team at a higher level before switching to cricket. But he didn’t continue with the game even though he was impeccable at that sport. Then he finally decided on cricket, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry is one of the best all-rounders from the Australian women’s cricket team. Her records are enough to showcase her talents on the field and in online cricket fantasy games. Perry has scored 3022 runs with a strike rate of 52.1 in his 112 ODI appearances. She also has bagged 152 wickets at an average of 24.29 in her bowling career. She’s also the first Australian to play in the women’s football and cricket World Cups. At the early age of 16, she made her professional debut for both teams. Perry has also represented Sydney FC and Canberra United.

Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes was widely regarded as one of the best fielders to have ever graced in cricket. Following his breakthrough in 1992, he had already played 52 Test matches and 245 ODI International matches for South Africa, compiling a whopping total of 2,532 and 5,935 runs. However, many of you may not be aware of the fact that, apart from cricket, Rhodes was also highly trained in hockey. He was selected for South Africa’s National Hockey team to compete in the 1992 Olympics, however, the country failed to qualify for the competition. Later, Rhodes was selected for the 1996 edition but had to withdraw due to a hamstring injury.

Suzie Bates

This right-handed cricketer for the New Zealand Women’s Team is one of the few women who have dominated the ICC charts for several years. Her uncanny capacity to hit the ball high and her outstanding medium-pace bowling put her in the top tier of the game. Apart from being one of the finest all-rounders, Bates also mastered the art of captaincy with her superb skills on the field. Except for cricket, Bates also competed for New Zealand in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a basketball player. Bates stopped playing basketball when she was awarded the captaincy in 2011.

Conclusion

Once a sportsman always will be a sportsman. These players equally excelled at all the games they played previously but for every cricket fantasy apps, they are the cricket legends they all look up to.

Read More:
1. List of Online Fantasy Cricketers with their Unknown Real Names
2. Top Cricket Coaches Every Fantasy Player Should be Well Aware Of
3. Eccentric Superstitious of Cricketers Fantasy Cricketers Should Know

Top Fantasy Cricketers with Record Runs in Indian T20 League

The Indian T20 League is the world’s most prominent Twenty20 tournament to date. This is a tournament that every daily fantasy cricket fan waits for every year. Numerous Indian batsmen have risen to prominence as a result of their achievements in this league. The T20 league, being one of the most well-known cricketing competitions in the world, is noted for its outstanding batting and bowling exploits. Many players have also been identified as having a successful start in the Indian T20 League. As for the runs, there are many players who played some outstanding games and chased some mind-blowing runs overall in the league.

Let’s have a look at some of the top Indian cricketers who have scored the most runs in the T20 league so far.

KL Rahul (1252 runs)

The previous Punjab skipper scored a total of 1252 runs in the 2018 and 2019 seasons after missing the 2017 edition of the league. KL Rahul finished the T20 league of 2019 as the second-highest run-scorer after David Warner with 593 runs. These runs had an amazing average of 53.9 and a strike rate of 135.38. During the T20 league in 2019, Rahul scored a century and six half-centuries, with the best score being an undefeated 100 against Mumbai Indians. KL Rahul scored a total of 659 runs in the 2018 version of the league, putting him in third place behind Kane Williamson and Rishabh Pant. These runs were scored at a superb strike-rate of 158.41 and an exceptional average of 54.91.

David Warner (5447 runs)

This Australian batsman hammered a total of 5447 runs in 148 games. Warner, one of the most lethal openers in contemporary cricket, led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first T20 league championship in 2016. During that season, he gave an outstanding performance, scoring 848 runs in 17 matches. He holds the record for achieving the most number of orange caps in the T20 series, that is three times.

Virat Kohli (6283 runs)

The Indian skipper is constantly inserting his name into every potential batting record he can. If we talk about online fantasy games, Virat Kohli’s name has been seen on various T20 records and other fantasy cricket matches. He now holds the record for the most runs scored in the history of the T20 league. Kohli has bagged a total of 207 matches under his belt, scoring 6411 runs at a staggering average of 37.39. Kohli’s career also includes 5 IPL hundreds and 42 half-centuries.

Shikhar Dhawan (5784 runs)

The flashy left-handed batsman has chased a whopping 5,784 runs in a total of 192 matches. In October 2020, Dhawan became the first player in the T20 league to hit a back-to-back century against team Chennai and team Punjab. After Warner, Dhawan is the sixth player to reach the 5000-run mile.

Suresh Raina (5528 runs)

Suresh Raina, affectionately nicknamed “china thala” by fans, is a T20 specialist. Raina has appeared in 205 T20 matches, scoring a total of 5528 runs with a strike rate of 32.51. Raina’s incredible statistics put him in fourth place in the league for most runs scored. Suresh Raina has given the CSK’s top order much-needed steadiness throughout the years. Till now, Raina has been one of the finest top-order Indian batsmen in the history of the T20 league.

Conclusion

There are many more players who hold a good amount of runs in their record, but if you play fantasy cricket through the fantasy cricket app and want to score high in the game, don’t just select players based on their runs. Check all the factors that are required before placing your final team.

Read More:
1. Reasons Why Fantasy Cricket is Growing Popular as Online Card Games
2. Top Fielders in Cricket Every Fantasy Player Should Know About
3. Factors Responsible for the Growth of Online Fantasy Cricket in India

Reasons Why Fantasy Cricket is Growing Popular as Online Card Games

With the Indian T20 League events gripping the country, cricket fans may once again enjoy the pleasure and passion of the league’s magic by playing online fantasy cricket in India. Based on the players ‘ performance statistics, you can create your own virtual teams with genuine players in these sports, such as cricket, football, or kabaddi. The performance of these virtual teams is determined by the players’ performance in actual matches. Fantasy games, which fall under the umbrella of online games, are rising in popularity, much like India’s finest online rummy sites.

So, what are the fundamental reasons for fantasy cricket’s growing appeal, and why is it acquiring an advantage over online rummy games?

Fantasy Cricket Platforms have Upgraded User Engagement

Most of the online rummy sites, with their appealing features, can increase user engagement. User involvement has grown thanks to 3D views of tables, flawless gaming capabilities that enable moving between devices, and other factors. Similarly, with online fantasy games, such as fantasy cricket, the ability to construct your own squad increases user engagement among fans. The user’s sense of belonging in these games is more robust, resulting in a more vital link between the user and the game.

Can Enjoy the Game from the Ease of Your Home

Those days are long gone when cricket fans travelled long distances to see the game from the stands. With the introduction of fantasy cricket, even couch watching has taken on a whole new meaning. All you have to do now is download your favourite cricket fantasy app, log in with your credentials, and begin building a team of 11 players who will be assigned particular points. It takes minimal effort, and a few critical decisions and a thorough passion for the game would suffice.

Their Legal Factors

It is permissible to play fantasy cricket games on the internet. The Supreme Court has already ruled on these rummy platforms and given its approval, declaring that rummy is a skill game even if it contains monetary prizes. Players can access fantasy cricket to win money on a daily basis. It’s perfectly lawful to play these games in the country because the outcome is determined solely by your ability to succeed.

Have a Proper Online Format

Traditional games and sports such as rummy and cricket have migrated to the online platform, providing a wealth of options to play and win. In fact, unlike Indian rummy sites, the digital version allows you to play whenever and wherever you choose. With the expanding number of smartphone users, there is a greater demand for mobile-centric entertainment. Games, including online rummy, are building a firm footing in the games industry, with numerous forms of digital gaming being played. With the introduction of fantasy sports, the gaming environment will become highly competitive.

Helps to Feel a Sense of Responsibility

As a supporter, your obligation grows once you select a starting 11 from the 22 players available for a single match. You’re not just a bystander anymore. As a coach in a real game, you are responsible for your own squad. The number of runs your team score and the wickets they take can significantly impact your game. It causes excitement and assists you in winning cash awards if you participate in a fantasy cricket game. The value of the rewards rises in accordance with the number of participants.

Fantasy Cricket is Completely Legal

Rummy and other skill games are deemed permissible to play online, including those which include monetary winnings. As the Supreme Court defined such games to be games of skill, rummy players’ chances of winning are no longer a factor. Similarly, playing online fantasy cricket in the country is completely legal. You can even play cash games, where your abilities can decide your winning position.

The digital platform is transforming into an initiative arena as traditional games give way to online equivalents. Likewise, fantasy cricket is growing in popularity like any other fantasy game. So, start making your dream team and earn real cash prizes.