Many elite cricketers did not grow up with a single sport in mind. Several were actively involved in other disciplines at competitive levels before cricket even became their main sport.
But even if they were first involved in something else before ending up in cricket, their experiences on those fields are definitely part of what helped develop their athleticism, reflexes, and mental approach in ways that later defined their cricket careers.
Which cricket stars could’ve been in a different field if chances allowed? Let’s take a closer look.
1. MS Dhoni – Football
Before cricket, MS Dhoni was known in his school for playing football. He played as a goalkeeper at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir in Ranchi, and it was his former coach Banerjee who noticed Dhoni’s reflexes and hand-eye coordination. It’s him to thank that we have Dhoni in cricket, as he suggested the young player try wicketkeeping instead.
Dhoni later confirmed in multiple interviews with ESPN and Star Sports that football played a major role in his quick movements behind the stumps. He did not begin formal wicketkeeping until his late teens, which makes his transition even more unusual at the elite level.
2. Ellyse Perry – Football
Ellyse Perry represented Australia in football at the age of 16 while already being part of the national cricket team. For several years, she impressively managed both sports at an elite level.
In interviews with Cricket Australia and the ICC, Perry explained that scheduling demands eventually forced her to make a decision. She ended up choosing cricket, but she always accounts her football background as what helped her with endurance, positioning, and reading play under pressure.
3. Chris Gayle – Athletics
Chris Gayle grew up with a strong interest in athletics, particularly sprinting. In interviews with BBC Sport and Wisden, Gayle has said that running events were a serious option for him as a teenager in Jamaica.
As his cricket career grew, Gayle became one of the most recognizable global figures in the sport. Even after retirement from international cricket, he remained visible through music, media appearances, and ambassador roles for global brands such as 10CRIC.
4. Yuvraj Singh – Hockey
Yuvraj Singh’s father, Yograj Singh, was a former Indian fast bowler, but strongly encouraged his son to pursue hockey instead of cricket. Yuvraj played competitive junior hockey and was considered talented enough to continue.
In his autobiography The Test of My Life, Yuvraj described the tension between following his father’s wishes and his own love for cricket. He eventually switched fully to cricket, but his hockey background is often credited for his sharp reflexes and strong throwing arm.
5. Harbhajan Singh – Hockey
Growing up in Punjab, Harbhajan Singh was heavily exposed to hockey, a sport that is well-known in the region. Singh has mentioned that he definitely took hockey seriously, too. It was never a casual hobby because he actually trained for it. However, he never really claimed to have played close to a professional level.
But aside from sports, many would probably agree that Singh could just be in politics. It’s no secret that he has been quite active in this. In 2022, he officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party and later became a Rajya Sabha MP, confirming that politics was a serious second career, not a passing interest.
6. Andrew Flintoff – Rugby and Football
Andrew Flintoff was a standout athlete in multiple sports during his school years. He was already involved in cricket, but he also played rugby and football.
In his autobiography Being Freddie, Flintoff explained that his rugby background helped shape his aggressive playing style and mental toughness. Flintoff eventually hosted A League of Their Own, where he also showcased his skills as a presenter.
7. AB de Villiers – Tennis and Golf
AB de Villiers played multiple sports before committing to cricket. He played tennis seriously during his school years at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), a school known for producing multi-sport athletes.
Then, when it comes to golf, he has played in the Alfred Dunhill Championship Pro-Am alongside professional golfers, which is not open to casual amateurs.
De Villiers has said cricket eventually became his focus because he could express creativity more freely. He felt cricket allowed him to combine skills from multiple sports, rather than limiting himself to one movement pattern.
Conclusion
Nowadays, youth coaches and sports scientists encourage young athletes to participate in more than one sport. In cricket, attributes such as footwork, balance, and reaction time often develop more naturally through sports like football, hockey, or tennis.
So, it makes sense that many of our favorite cricket stars have been involved in different sports in the past before finding their true calling. Even in other sports, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that players have explored other fields before settling on one.
To them, switching sports could mean that they’re simply trying to find which suits them best, and that’s what makes them relatable even for people outside the sports scene.
