Who is the Most Followed Cricketer on Instagram?

As of early 2025, India’s Virat Kohli is the player with the most followers on Instagram. The former captain of the national team is at the very top with an incredible 266 million followers.

Cricket fans all over the world have helped to put Virat at the very top of the list.

10 Most Followed Cricketers on Instagram

Virat Kohli – 266M followers

When you look at how far away the other players are, it puts Virat Kohli’s achievements into some context. 266 million followers on Instagram is a scarcely believable number, and it is made up from supporters of India, Royal Challengers Bangalore and cricket in general. The list continues to grow and when I first wrote this article in October 2022, he had 217 million followers, so that’s an increase of 49 million in just over two years.

He’s not just there on reputation alone: Virat provides an entertaining and active account with lots of updates.

MS Dhoni – 46.7M followers

India’s inspirational leader for many years, MS Dhoni finds himself in second place on this list. He’s a long way behind Virat Kohli, but 25.7 million followers is a significant amount by anyone’s standards.

He’s recently retired from international cricket, but he remained active in the IPL as of 20242. Dhoni’s legion of Chennai Super Kings fans have helped to boost his numbers.

Sachin Tendulkar – 42.7M followers

He may have retired from the game but the great Sachin Tendulkar still maintains a healthy Instagram account. That’s not exactly a shock considering his brilliant career which featured 200 test matches and no fewer than 100 international centuries in all formats.

In fact, the only real surprise here is that Sachin’s number of 42.7 million followers isn’t even bigger, but it continues to increase, and he may yet overtake MS Dhoni and climb into second place.

Rohit Sharma – 35.5M followers

The current captain of India has some work to do if he is to catch up with his predecessor Virat Kohli. Despite the difference between the two, Rohit Sharma’s list of 35.5 million followers on Instagram is still an impressive figure.

While he’s still involved in cricket, and proving himself as one of India’s greatest ever batsmen, Rohit’s figures should continue to climb. He is, however, at the veteran stages of his career, and time is running out if he wants to catch those at the top.

Hardik Pandya – 28.6M followers

In contrast to his international captain, all rounder Hardik Pandya’s India career should now be at its peak. After a spell out of the national set up, he rediscovered his form while leading the Gujarat Titans to their first win in the 2022 IPL.

Based on that victory, and his subsequent return to Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya’s list of Instagram followers has swelled to 28.6 million, and there’s plenty of time to add more.

Suresh Raina – 26.8M followers

A team mate of MS Dhoni at CSK for many years, Suresh Raina was an important member of the team. While his colleagues may have enjoyed a higher profile, Raina went quietly about his job.

The left hander was a big accumulator of runs and was also one of the best fielders in the IPL. He may have headed towards retirement, but that list of 21.5 million Instagram followers underlines his enduring popularity.

AB De Villiers – 24.3M followers

While he may be the only player from outside of the country to feature on this list, AB De Villiers is fondly remembered in India as a key player for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

He’s popular all over the world, but there’s no doubt that his performances for RCB have helped to boost his Instagram following to 24.3 million.

Yuvraj Singh – 19.4M followers

Yuvraj Singh was a key all rounder for India for many years. He achieved global notoriety when he hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over during a T20 international.

Yuvi could sometimes be a controversial figure but, in terms of social media, that isn’t always a bad thing. It would have certainly helped to build his Instagram following up to an impressive total of 19.4 million.

KL Rahul – 18.8M followers

There’s been a battle to become India’s recognised opener in all three formats, and KL Rahul appears to be winning it. After a period of injury, Rahul is back in the squad and looking to stay there.

He has 18.8 million Instagram followers at the time of writing, but he’s another player with time to add to his list.

Shikhar Dhawan – 17.4M followers

Shikhar Dhawan can still be effective in limited overs cricket. His time as an Indian international may be at an end, but he is talented enough to return to the IPL if he ever wants to.

As a powerful and stylish opening batter, Dhawan has an army of fans beyond India, and that’s helped to boost his Instagram following to 17.4 million.

The Power of Social Media

There are a number of changes and interesting points to note from when I first wrote this article in 2022. I’ve kept the original conclusion below which underlines the fact that nine players in the Top Ten are from India. The only outlier, South Africa’s AB De Villiers, became a hero in the IPL during his time with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

There is an old, and fairly tired saying that cricket is a religion in India, but these figures tend to back up that theory.

Another interesting point is that a number of these players have retired. Their playing days may be over, but their popularity isn’t slowing down. As long as they stay active on Instagram, the fans will keep coming.

Finally, I was expecting the Top Ten to have altered, but there were no changes at all. The order was the same, and no cricketers had managed to climb up into the list. There was, however, a rise in followers of several million for each player in just over two years.

So, the challenge remains for current players to break into the Top Ten. There are some big names in the game, but surely some of today’s heroes will disrupt the list moving forward?

Conclusion

I’m not surprised to see Indian players dominate this list. The fans inside the country are fanatical about their cricket, and the best players are treated as true heroes.

Social media platforms are also huge in India as followers are keen to interact with the latest posts. As with all round ups of this kind, it will also be interesting to see how the numbers build and whether any players can break into this list moving forward.

The post Top 10 Most Followed Cricketers on Instagram appeared first on Its Only Cricket.

Best Cricket Games for PC

1. Ashes Cricket (2017)

The Ashes Cricket game requirements for PC:

• Memory: 8 GB.
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon R9 390X.
• CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970.
• File Size: 12 GB.
• OS: Windows 7 (x64) or higher.

The titanic battle between England and Australia is laid down in this 2017 release. The Ashes is the oldest trophy in test cricket and this game sets out to replicate all the thrills and drama that comes with it.

From BigAnt Studios, the aim of the game is to take part in the stiffest challenge in the game – test match cricket. The full experience is replicated from start to finish as you choose your team and do battle.

There are a number of reasons why I’ve put this at number one on the list. The atmosphere is perfect with dramatic opening music that could really make you feel part of the Ashes series. The graphics are also excellent with strong likenesses of individual players.

What I didn’t know is that you can actually choose to play with other international sides and perhaps this could be made clearer.

2. Cricket Captain 2021

While I do like the player games, on most occasions the titles that require strategy are my favourites. I’ve been playing Cricket Captain for years and the upgrades on the 2021 version are really impressive.

The graphics have improved since I started playing this years and years ago and the stats available to the captains are also much better. What has stayed the same is Jonathan Agnew’s commentary and I’m pleased that that’s the case.

Updates include the option to play 100 ball cricket – the newest format of the game. You can still recreate actual matches from cricket’s past and switch to play mode if you’ve had enough of the strategies from the sidelines.

Maybe the graphics are a little basic when compared to some other titles on this list but I still think this is the best cricket strategy game around.

3. Don Bradman Cricket 17

Don Bradman Cricket 17 System Requirements (Minimum for PC)

• CPU: Intel Core i3-3210 / AMD Athlon II X4 555.
• RAM: 4 GB.
• OS: Windows 7 (x64) or higher.
• VIDEO CARD: Radeon HD 6670 or NVIDIA Geforce GT710 with Min 1GB Memory.
• PIXEL SHADER: 5.0.
• VERTEX SHADER: 5.0.
• FREE DISK SPACE: 11 GB.

The great Sir Don Bradman was a legend of the game in the first half of the 20th century and it’s fascinating to see that his legend endures in modern cricket. The Don gives his name to this title which is a production from the developers at BigAnt Studios.

This is matchplay cricket where the players alternate to take on the roles of batsmen and bowlers. One day cricket is the main focus with the simple task of trying to score more runs than your opponent in order to win the game.

I like a lot of things about this title: The gameplay is very clear and easy to follow. The game looks to cover the many facets of a cricket match and the amount of options for a bowler’s deliveries is particularly impressive.

As a slight downside, the graphics may not be as sharp as they are with some other releases.

4. Cricket 19

Cricket 19 requirements for PC:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system.
• OS: Windows 10 (x64)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-4200 / AMD Phenom II X4 970.
• Memory: 8 GB RAM.
• Graphics: AMD Radeon R9 390X or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 with minimum 2GB Memory.
• DirectX: Version 11.
• Network: Broadband Internet connection.
• Storage: 25 GB available space.

It’s a simple title and one that is intended to give you all you need to know about this release. Cricket 19 covers the sport in all of the forms that were available in 2019 – Test Match, ODIs and T20.

It’s also very comprehensive in its gameplay with many different teams to choose from. Once again. You can also recreate some classic encounters from cricket’s past so this really is a great all-rounder.

The graphics are good but, in trying to replicate the features of the game’s best cricketers, they aren’t quite as sharp as The Ashes. It would also be good to see The Hundred format added to the schedules in future editions but Cricket 19 is an entertaining and lifelike game.

5. Big Bash Boom

The System requirements for PC for Big Bash Boom are:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system.
• OS: Windows 7 (x64) or higher.
• Processor: Intel Core i3-3210 / AMD Athlon II X4 555.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM.
• Graphics: Radeon HD 6670 or NVIDIA Geforce GT710 with Min 2GB Memory.
• DirectX: Version 11.
• Network: Broadband Internet connection.

Based on Australia’s most successful T20 domestic competition, Big Bash Boom is a faithful replica of gameplay. It looks to replicate the tournament with the option to take on any of the sides that take part in the competition.

You can also play at any of the grounds that host those teams while a click of a button can see you switch to the WBBL – the women’s version of the game.

Big Bash Boom is great fun: It’s fast and entertaining but it’s maybe aimed at a younger market.

I do like the graphics in general but the big heads on the players distract me a little. Also, I’ve yet to change the ball from a standard cricket ball to a potato, a pie, a golf ball or any of the other options as they seem pointless.

I’ve also refrained from setting the pitch on fire to stop the batsmen from running but, for pure fun for the kids, I’d say this is the perfect title.

6. Cricket Revolution

Cricket Revolution seeks to replicate the fun and fast gameplay of limited overs cricket. These are the formats that have introduced legions of new fans into the sport and it’s no surprise that many titles like to focus on T20 and ODI cricket.

The other bonuses include the fact that you can play as a single player or you can easily switch to the multiplayer mode. While it’s mostly about hitting big sixes and taking wickets, one of the best aspects of Cricket Revolution is that the more intricate areas of the sport are covered.

Umpire and player reviews plus the use of Hawkeye are implemented into gameplay.

I would say that this is an entry level title: The graphics are pretty basic but it’s a great option if you’re just interested in entertainment and the sheer fun that limited overs cricket produces.

7. Cricket Coach 2014

Another game that covers the strategy of cricket, there are many differences between Cricket Coach 2014 and the Cricket Captain series. I think there is room for both titles on your shelf as this game goes much deeper into the world of cricket.

Along with the top test playing nations, you can develop your coaching skills at a much lower level by taking charge of one of the associate countries such as Bermuda or Germany. You can then build up your career until you get noticed and are comfortable with a tougher challenge.

The unique strategies needed to succeed are here in this title but it’s far more complex than similar coaching games and that’s why many prefer Cricket Coach 2014.

It’s hard to find any dislikes with this game but perhaps a chance to switch to a player mode would lead to more sales.

8. Tabletop Cricket

As the name suggests, this is a game meant to replicate the table top cricket games that I liked to play in my youth. The action actually takes place on a table and, when the players hit sixes out of the ground, you can even see food packaging and other paraphernalia located in the family kitchen.

You can pick lots of international teams in this game including associate nations such as the USA.

Serious gamers will dismiss Tabletop Cricket as being a bit silly but I think this is great fun. Remember, it can be played as a free download so that’s a big plus in an age where some titles are stretching people’s budgets.

For me and others, this is a perfect way in which to while away a few minutes of downtime, maybe in your lunch hour. It can also transfer easily to mobile and can help to pass the time when you’re stuck on the train.

I’d agree that the gameplay is basic and the graphics and the bouncing crowd fit that type of theme but it’s not meant to be taken too seriously. Just suspend belief for a moment or two and look to hit a huge six into the cereal box.

9. International Test Cricket

International Test Cricket is another strategy game but this one focuses entirely on the longest format. It’s another release that goes very deep in terms of analysis as it looks to mirror all the challenges that a real life international coach would typically face.

I would say that it succeeds in its aims and I particularly like the fact that delaying a decision can seriously affect your team’s chances. Timing is such a key factor in coaching and this is a definite plus point.

There’s a lot to like here: The graphics are good and you need to have patience as the full test match plays out. One or two other players have commented that they can’t really see the ball and I’d agree that this is a small improvement that needs to be made.

Alternatives to PC Cricket Games

If you want a break from the screen, there are some old-school cricket games you could try. Table top cricket using 3D figures was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, and while digital options subsequently took over, they have been making a comeback.

Subbuteo sold in the biggest numbers and is arguably the most realistic of the 3D cricket games. It’s fun to play, but the only issue is that the brand has become highly collectible. If you want a Subbuteo cricket set now, you may have to pay in excess of £50 for one in good condition.

Another option is ‘Owzthat.’ It’s labelled as a dice game, but the dice are actually two barrels. There are six sides to each barrel. One is used for determining runs and the other makes decisions on dismissals.

Owzthat has been around for decades, and the early sets fetch high sums, but you can buy a more modern version for less than £10.

Closing Thoughts

Cricket games come in many different forms, but there’s no doubt that the computer versions are the most popular right now. They are so much more realistic and I can understand why they sell in such high numbers.

I enjoy these games myself and I hope that the suggestions in this article give you some ideas. They may all receive upgrades by the time you read this, but I personally prefer the older versions and have kept faith with them. 

The post Best Cricket Games for PC in 2026 appeared first on Its Only Cricket.

What is Sledging in Cricket?

The term ‘sledging’ relates to any verbal comments which are intended to distract a player from the opposing side. The intention is to ‘get under the player’s skin’ and to make them bowl badly or play a false stroke.

Many sledges can be pretty dumb but the most memorable come with some impressive humour.

50 Best Cricket Sledges of All Time

If you ever get into similar situations as these, be sure to try out some of these sledges. Many are self explanatory and tend to follow a theme, while I’ll explain some of the more obscure comments.

1. “Of course it isn’t, you’re here”

Words uttered by Steve Waugh to Jamie Siddons when the former was urging the Aussie skipper to hurry up in a Sheffield Shield match.

‘It’s not a bloody test match’
‘Of course it isn’t, you’re here.’

2. “Captain of the ugly XI”

This sledge appears to have come from a state game in Australia and the names of those involved are unknown. The anecdote comes from Brett Lee, who claims that someone on this state team came up with the idea to find the ‘ugliest cricketer in Australian cricket currently’.

Then later, this fielder on 1st slip says the following:

‘Hey champ, we’ve just come up with the ugliest XI and mate, looking at you right now through your lid, you are captain of the ugly XI’
The batsman replies:
‘Oh really? I’ve seen your Mrs on the Hill and she’s batting at 3’

3. “At least I’m the best player in my family”

England’s Jimmy Ormond can lay claim to what might be the greatest cricketing sledge of all time. When playing for England in the Ashes series of 2001, Ormond was on the receiving end of a jibe from Australia’s Mark Waugh who said:

‘Mate, what are you doing out here, no way are you good enough to play for England.
Ormond replied, in reference to Waugh’s more prolific sibling Steve:
‘Maybe not but at least I’m the best player in my family’.

4. “Are you deaf as well?”

Famously uttered by Phil Tufnell to an Australian umpire when decisions weren’t going his way.

‘What, are you blind?’
‘I beg your pardon!’
‘Are you deaf as well?’

5. “Put a Mars Bar on a good length”

Ian Healy as wicketkeeper commenting on Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga and his portly constitution.

‘Put a Mars bar on a good length, that should do it’ says Healy to bowler Shane Warne.

6. “That could be anywhere under a 3 mile radius”

Ian Healy’s comment when Steve Waugh asked Ricky Ponting to field right under Nasser Hussain’s nose.

‘That could be anywhere under a 3 mile radius’

7. “Wrong end mate.”

This is a quote from Australia’s legendary fast bowler Dennis Lillee and it’s said that he used it against several batsmen.

If the batter was struggling, Lillee would say:

‘There’s a piece of s##t on your bat mate.’
At this point, the batsman would look at the bottom and Lillee would reply:
‘Wrong end mate.’

8. “It’s red, it’s round, you hit it”

This sledge has been attributed to a number of players but, as far as I know, the first exchange took place between Viv Richards and former England fast bowler Greg Thomas.

As Richards played and missed, Thomas said:

‘It’s red, it’s round, you hit it.’
The very next ball, Richards hit Thomas over the ropes for six before declaring:
‘You know what it looks like now go and find it.’

9. “Now, which of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?”

Australian captain Bill Woodfull’s response when England skipper Douglas Jardine appeared at the dressing room door during the infamous Bodyline series. As it happens, Jardine complained that the Australians were swearing at him. Woodfull replied:

‘Now, which of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?’

10. “You’ve got an MBE, right?”

At the end of the classic 2005 Ashes series, every England squad member was awarded an MBE. This included Paul Collingwood who came in for the very final match at the Oval.

Collingwood was approached by Shane Warne who said:

‘You’ve got an MBE right? For scoring seven at The Oval? You’re an embarrassment.’

Collingwood’s reply isn’t recorded – perhaps Warne’s assessment was difficult to argue with.

11. “If you turn the bat over you’ll find the instructions”

Self explanatory and used in many situations.

12. “Don’t bother son, you won’t be out there long enough”

Fred Trueman to an Australian batsman as he turned to shut the gate.

13. “Man it don’t matter where you come in, the score is still zero!”

A comment made by Viv Richards to Sunil Gavaskar when West Indies played India in a test match. Gavaskar was usually an opener but had dropped down to number 4 on this specific occasion.

Richards greeted the batsman with these words after Malcolm Marshall had dismissed both Indian openers for a duck:

“Man it don’t matter where you come in, the score is still zero!”

14. “Did I give you any good advice?”

This sledge recalls a conversation between Merv Hughes and Ian Botham. As a youngster, Hughes had asked Botham for some advice and he suggested that the Australian might want to take up tennis.

‘You probably don’t remember me. But I was at a coaching clinic you did at Benalla when you played grade cricket here in the 1970s’
‘Did I give you any good advice?’ asked Botham.
‘I told you I wanted to be a fast bowler, but you said I should take up tennis or golf because they were more enjoyable and better paid.’
‘You should have listened to me.’

15. “Don’t worry, you can sleep in my bed tonight.”

The anecdote says that when the Australia team stayed in Lumley Castle in Durham, it was rumoured that there was a ghost haunting the place. By the time they went to bed, Shane Watson got so spooked, that in the end, he spent the night sleeping on the floor in Brett Lee’s room.

It’s no surprise how the England players, including Darren Gough teased him:

‘Don’t worry, you can sleep in my bed tonight.’

16. “Tickets please!”

This was Merv Hughes’ response to Javed Miandad after the Pakistani batsman had called him a fat bus conductor.

‘Merv you are a big, fat bus conductor.’ said Javed, but not long after he was out.
While Javed was leaving the field, Merv ran after him shouting:
‘Tickets please!’

17. “Tick, Tock”

Shane Warne and Darren Berry joined forces here to put off batsman Michael Slater. One would say ‘tick’ and the other ‘tock’ until Slater holed out to mid wicket and the pair shouted ‘Kaboom’ in unison.

18. “Would you like me to bowl a piano and see if you can play that?”

This is an ancient sledge and another to be attributed to Merv Hughes. It’s said that he first used it while bowling to Graham Gooch.

19. “Looks like you spent it eating”

Darryl Cullinan to Shane Warne after Warnie had said he had waited two years to bowl to the South African again.

20. “Mind the windows”

Andrew Flintoff to Tino Best. The West Indian duly took a huge swing at the next delivery and was stumped by some distance.

21. “Slazenger look after you OK, Adam?”

Steve Waugh to Adam Parore after the Australian captain had signed a lucrative contract with Slazenger.

22. “I should’ve kept my legs closed”

This was a very ribald comment from England fast bowler Fred Trueman who wasn’t known for possessing a filter. When a delivery from Trueman was edged into the slips, fielder Raman Subba Row was unable to stop it.

Row said, ‘sorry Fred I should have kept my legs closed. Trueman replied:
‘So should your Mother’.

23. “This batsman is only going to make two runs, one on the pitch and one off”

24. “Get back on the bus and get ready to drive it home.”

When Justin Langer played the first Ashes at Edgbaston, he arrived at the crease as the 12th man. The batsman was Nasser Hussain to whom Langer said a couple of things that might have come off as rude. Hussain replied the following:

‘Look, I don’t mind the others chirping at me, but you’re the bloody bus driver of this team. So you get back on the bus and get ready to drive it home.’

25. “Why are you hitting kids, try and hit me”

The then 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar made his first appearance in Pakistan in 1989, and after the crowd mocked him with placards like “Hey kid, go home and drink milk”, he proceeded to hit the young Mushtaq Ahmed for two sixes in a single over.

Mushtaq’s mentor, Abdul Qadir said to the Little Master angrily:

‘Why are you hitting kids, try and hit me’

26. “Should I bring in a guitar, so to test if you can play anything”

27. “Move out of the way, I can’t see the stumps.”

This could have been directed at a number of batters but, on this occasion, Mike Gatting was on the receiving end of some stick from Dennis Lillee.

28. “If you could bowl as well as you talk, you wouldn’t be the 12th man”

This comment was made by Ravi Shastri who was batting for India in a test match against Australia. The Australian 12th man, Michael Whitney, had fielded the ball and hurled it back vigorously to the wicket keeper.

Whitney has asked the batter to ‘get back in his crease or he would break his head.’
‘If you could bowl as well as you talk, you wouldn’t be the 12th man’ replied Shastri aptly.

29. “Tarzan is swinging so much, someone get him Jane.”

30. “Swinging like a rusty gate”

31. “More edges than a ream of paper”

32. “Biscuits”

After Glenn McGrath had asked Zimbabwe’s Eddo Brandes why he was so fat, Brandes replied that every time he slept with McGrath’s mother she gave him a biscuit.

33. “We make a great pair, I can’t bat, you can’t bowl”

Robin Smith to Australia’s Merv Hughes after hitting him for four. The ball before, Hughes had said to Smith ‘you can’t bat’.

34. “More misses than King Henry the 8th”

35. “This is how a bowler makes runs”

36. “This is my island, my culture. And in my culture, we bowl”

For once, Viv Richards was on the wrong end of a sledge. After saying this to Merv Hughes after the Australian was staring him down, the great Viv was subsequently dismissed. Big Merv retorted with the line:

‘In my culture we just say F Off.’

37. “Wickets are on sale this time of year”

38. “Back to the nets”

39. “Couldn’t catch a cold”

This has been said to many fielders and we’ve all probably been on the wrong end of this sledge. There are conflicting stories as to where this originates from but it must be one of the oldest of its kind.

40. “Does anyone else feel that breeze?”

This references the point when a batter plays and misses, and the fielders ‘feel the breeze.’

41. “I’ve seen a better batter at my local Fish & Chips”

42. “Take the keys off him he can’t drive”

43. “Didn’t know Gray Nics made fishing poles”

44. “You’ve lost it mentally. You’re still the same”

Stuart Broad to Mitchell Johnson which summed up a level of Australian sledging.

45. “This batsman’s like a donut”

46. “More blocks than a Lego set”

A sledge used to a dull batter who uses more blocks more than attacking strokes.

47. “Hospital food suit you?”

This quote is attributed to Australia’s Craig McDermott who had just been bowled by England’s Phil Tufnell. McDermott turned to the left arm spinner and said:

‘You’ve got to bat on this in a minute Tuffers: Hospital food suit you?’

48. “All swing, no ding”

49. “Lightning only strikes once”

50. “So how’s your wife and my kids?”

For many this is the best sledge of all time but did it even happen? It’s alleged that Australian wicket keeper Rod Marsh once said to Ian Botham:

‘So how’s your wife and my kids?’
To which, Botham replied:
‘The wife’s fine but the kids are retarded’.

Hilarious, but the claim is disputed by some of the Australian side of the time.

Is There Such a Thing as Non-Verbal Sledging?

In theory it is possible to sledge without using the spoken word. A fielder could, for example, mimic a poor shot played by the batter. I can also remember an occasion when Jos Buttler mocked Sheldon Cottrell’s famous ‘salute’ celebration, after he’d taken the bowler for a few runs.

There is a danger that these types of sledges could get out of hand, and cross a line into ill discipline. If, for example, there were to be physical contact between two players, that could be a case where demerit points and possible bans come into play under the laws and rules of cricket.

That’s why I’m personally not a big fan of sledging. It can start in a seemingly harmless way, but if the players in question lack control, it can get out of hand and become far more ugly.

Should Sledging be Banned?

As we have seen from these examples, sledging can be relatively harmless, and certainly humorous. As long as it doesn’t cross a line, it’s going to be OK and the authorities won’t ban it.

The problem is, where does that line start and finish? Outside of this list, there was an extremely ugly incident between Glenn McGrath of Australia and the West Indies’ Ramnaresh Sarwan in a test match in 2003. What started as unpleasant verbals almost descended into a fight.

It’s almost impossible to ban sledging, so the answer to this question is a definite ‘no.’ Hopefully in the future there will be more funny sledges to add to this list, and fewer of those incidents that could descend into something far more unpleasant.

Closing Thoughts

I’ve never been a huge fan of sledging: At club cricket level most of what you hear on the field isn’t funny at all. It’s just players trying to copy what they hear on television, and the results always sound dumb. However, in international cricket, it’s good to hear that there is room for some humour.

I think that the best sledges are those instant responses to opening remarks that show which players have the quick wit. The ability to think quickly and make a funny response helps to shut down the opening sledge immediately.

The post 50 Funniest Cricket Sledges of All Time – Collection of the Best Cricket Sledges appeared first on Its Only Cricket.

Users of fantasy gaming apps can build their teams by choosing the players who are qualified to compete in a given event or match. A player’s ability to win real money rewards throughout a game will depend on how well they perform. The app evaluates the users’ point totals after the conclusion of the game. Numerous sports app users participate in fantasy sports leagues due to the exceptional features of these apps. Furthermore, a lot of users see these as a way to win rewards.

Install the My11Circle real money fantasy app if you want to participate in fantasy cricket. It is among the most widely used and reliable fantasy cricket applications available that is full of user-focused features. Here are some features of the My11Circle fantasy cricket app that you should know about in more detail:

Features of the My11Circle App

1. Stay updated about the changes in teams: Cricket coaches often switch up the lineup of players based on situations. This app’s features will keep you informed of any such updates. Making the ideal cricket squad will be made easier with this. Such information is crucial if you’re a fantasy sports participant since you risk losing points if you don’t.
2. Substitute feature: When gamers create teams of 11 players, they have the option to choose 4 additional players as alternate players. If you neglect to update your team and you have players who are not part of the playing squad, alternate players will replace them. This feature is very important and beneficial. Users frequently give up because some of their team’s players did not make it to the starting XI and they missed changing their team.
3. Leaderboard and updates in real-time: Rewards points are given to the player in every fantasy game. Participating in a monetary competition will earn you points, which will all be added to your account. The more points you have, the higher your position on the leaderboard will be. My11Circle app also provides real-time match score updates directly inside the app. There is no need to look elsewhere. Install to explore the range of possibilities while you engage in the game and watch the match’s results.
4. Fantasy cricket site that is secure and trustworthy: The most crucial factor while playing with real money is having a safe platform. In addition to experience, My11Circle offers a secure, trustworthy, and dependable platform to play fantasy cricket. This includes taking steps to enhance player security and safeguarding gamers from data leaks. The firm asserts that it has implemented thorough security systems and information security guidelines that include operational, managerial, technological, and physical security countermeasures.
5. Quick gameplay with a user-friendly UI: The fantasy app’s game experience should be quick and simple when you use the mobile app to play. An app for fantasy cricket leagues has several fantastic features, including minimal loading time, and less storage on your phone. Your gaming experience should be fluid and user-friendly on the cricket fantasy app. You can choose and join matches quite simply thanks to an uncomplicated and straightforward lobby area in the app.
6. You can choose from a variety of matches on the app: Cricket lovers can now win actual cash prizes at the My11Circle app. All users have to do to enter a competition that fits their budget is pay an entry fee. The prizes for the competitions might range from cash winnings to white goods like cars, bikes, mobile phones, TVs, and music systems.

It’s interesting to note that My11Circle is a small, safe, and secure fantasy cricket app that is simple to install. The app’s outstanding navigation through the games is one of its best features. This is a one-time install app without pop-ups or advertisements, in contrast to other online applications that get frequent updates. As a result, there will be no interruptions; just pure cricket enjoyment.

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Who is the Richest Cricketer in India?

The figures show that Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in India. The man known as the Little Master has amassed a fortune which is said to be worth $170 million USD.

Tendulkar would have made significant income from the game while additional revenue is sourced from a number of major brand endorsements.

12 Richest Cricketers in India

Sachin Tendulkar – $170 million

As we saw in the previous section, Sachin Tendulkar is the richest cricketer in India. He was the icon of the game over a long playing career and it’s no surprise to see his name at the top of the list.

As well as his playing income and his payments from endorsements, Sachin has also taken on a number of coaching roles since his last game.

Virat Kohli – $127 million

Unlike Sachin, Virat Kohli is still playing cricket at the time of writing and that contributes to his overall fortune of $127 million. His central contract from the BCCI and his salary from Royal Challengers Bangalore will make a significant contribution.

Kohli is also involved in endorsements and some of the major companies he works with include Audi, Puma and MRF.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – $113 million

He was the captain of India and Chennai Super Kings for many years, and much of MS Dhoni’s income would have been generated from playing cricket. Of course, he was used for many endorsements across his playing days, and he’s worked with the likes of Colgate, GoDaddy, Star Sports and many others.

Since retiring from international cricket, it’s reported that MSD is making external investments into industries such as clothing and agriculture.

Sourav Ganguly – $80 million

After a long playing career, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly moved into administration. Most notably, he was the President of the BCCI and that role would have come with a significant salary.

Of course, there have been a lot of endorsements for the likes of Puma, Burnpur Cement and many others.

Virender Sehwag – $40 million

A hard hitting batter at the top of the order, Virender Sehwag was one of the most exciting players to watch. The IPL came along relatively late in his career, but he would still have enjoyed some significant income from this competition.

His fortune of $40 million will be boosted by playing for India, coaching and his many brand endorsements.

Yuvraj Singh – $35 million

A powerful all-rounder who enjoyed most of his success in limited overs cricket, Yuvraj Singh slots comfortably into this list with a fortune of $35 million.

He played IPL cricket for six different franchises, so there would have been a lot of signing on fees, plus his regular playing salary.

Sunil Gavaskar – $30 million

This is an interesting one and, while $30 million is still a significant amount, it underlines the gulf between cricketers of today and those of yesteryear. Sunil Gavaskar was the best Indian batsman of his generation and a great leader through the 1970s.

He works as a commentator in the modern day, but would clearly have earned much more if he’d played in a more recent era.

Kapil Dev – $30 million

Kapil Dev was Sunil Gavaskar’s inheritor in terms of the captaincy and he remains as one of the best all rounders that the game has ever seen. He was also the skipper when India pulled off that remarkable triumph in 1983, when they beat heavy favourites West Indies in the final of the World Cup.

$30 million is an impressive sum, but Kapil Dev would have been hugely in demand if he had played in the IPL era.

Zaheer Khan – $25 million

A very effective swing and seam bowler for India and his domestic teams, Zaheer Khan was a determined opponent who never let his sides down. He played for three IPL franchises and enjoyed stints in English county cricket with Surrey and Warwickshire.

Zaheer Khan also played in 292 international matches for India, and his time with the senior team would have helped to boost his earnings.

Suresh Raina – $25 million

Suresh Raina matches Zaheer Khan’s net worth at $25 million. A left handed batsman, he was a great servant for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and he contributed to much of that team’s success.

He played in over 300 international matches, enjoyed lots of brand endorsements, and was a reliable and productive scorer of runs who was clearly highly valued.

Yusuf Pathan – $24 million

Yusuf Pathan could split opinion at times. He was capable of some exceptional contributions with bat and ball, but lacked the consistency to impress over long periods of time.

Despite those concerns, the all-rounder played for three IPL franchises and he made 57 appearances for India in One Day Internationals. Those salaries, signing fees and endorsements would have boosted his revenue to that impressive figure of $24 million.

Rohit Sharma – $20 million

Along with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma is the only cricketer on this list to still be playing at the time of writing. He is also the current captain of India and will earn significantly from his central contract.

Rohit has also skippered the Mumbai Indians to each of their five wins in the IPL. He will have boosted his income from endorsements, but Rohit Sharma is probably one of the biggest earners in pure cricketing terms.

Conclusion

The list here includes many of the icons of Indian cricket from the last twenty years. In terms of the Indian Premier League, they would be included among the most valuable players, and franchise teams would pay a premium for the likes of Kohli, Ganguly, Dhoni, Tendulkar and others.

For most players, they will be in demand in terms of advertising and endorsements. It’s a well worn path for most, but some of these figures are truly eye-watering. Who will join this list in the near future?

Indian cricket goes from strength to strength and a number of players have the capability to break into the top 12 in the years that follow.

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Who is the Richest Cricketer in the World?

Former Australian international Adam Gilchrist is the richest cricketer in the world. It’s said that the wicket keeper / batsman is worth around $380 million USD.

Gilchrist’s earnings come from his career in the game, but will have been boosted by brand endorsements and his current work as a commentator and analyst.

Top 10 Richest Cricketers in the World

Adam Gilchrist – $380 million

We’ve just seen that Adam Gilchrist is the richest cricketer in the world, but it’s worth putting his figures in greater context. Gilly is more than $200 million ahead of the man in second place, but why are his earnings so far ahead of everyone else?

Gilchrist would have earned significant sums from his time in the game and he will also be rewarded for his commentary work. However, the reason why he is ahead of the pack is down to him being an entrepreneur. Gilchrist set up the huge F5 fitness network and that’s contributed significantly to the numbers.

Prior to those investments outside of cricket, Adam Gilchrist just caught the new trend for franchise cricket. He played for two franchises in the Indian Premier League – Kings XI Punjab and Deccan Chargers.

Sachin Tendulkar – $170 million

For the majority of the remaining players, their income has chiefly been generated from their work within the game. Sachin Tendulkar slots into second place on this list having amassed a fortune reported to be worth $170 million.

Sachin’s income will have been generated from his playing days while he has also coached since retiring. Endorsements of major global brands have boosted his revenue and he has offered his image to the likes of Canon, Airtel, and ESPN Star Sports.

Virat Kohli – $127 million

The most popular cricketer since Sachin Tendulkar hung up his gloves, Virat Kohli has amassed much of his $127 million fortune from playing the game. As captain of India, he would have enjoyed a central contract, plus a significant salary as the long-time skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Like his contemporaries, Kohli has also undertaken a programme of endorsements and has worked with Puma and Audi among others. He has a huge following on social media platforms and that presence helps to keep Virat Kohli’s brand image at a high level.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – $113 million

Since retiring from international cricket, it’s said that former Indian captain MS Dhoni has been busy making investments into various industries. That has the potential to boost his income significantly in the future, but it remains impressive at its current levels of $113 million.

MSD would have built up those numbers throughout his career as the captain of both India and the successful IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings. He has been an inspirational skipper for CSK, and their multiple trophy wins in the IPL will have boosted Dhoni’s revenue levels.

Sourav Ganguly – $80 million

As another former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly would have also enjoyed significant earnings throughout his playing career. The IPL came along a little late for him but he still featured and would have commanded significant salaries and signing on fees. He played for two franchise teams in the IPL – Pune Warriors and Kolkata Knight Riders.

After retiring, Ganguly went into the administrative side of the game and he was the President of the BCCI until late 2022. If we add in his brand endorsements which include Burnpur Cement, Classplus and Essilor Lenses, it all adds up to some exceptional numbers.

Ricky Ponting – $70 million

Australia’s Ricky Ponting is another cricketer to have enjoyed multiple roles in the game since retiring. He is most commonly seen as a coach and will be visible in many dugouts in the IPL and in other franchise cricket around the world.

In Australia, England and in other countries, Ponting also works extensively as an insightful commentator. Of course, his earnings from playing, together with brand endorsements from the likes of Adidas and Kookaburra contributes to his $70 million fortune.

Jacques Kallis – $70 million

Many feel that he was the greatest all-rounder to have played the game, so it’s no surprise to see Jacques Kallis clocking up income figures of $70 million. He played at the top level into his late 30s so part of his career was spent playing lucrative franchise cricket.

Kallis is also involved with coaching and undertakes a lot of endorsements back in his native South Africa. He was known there for many years as the brand ambassador for Advanced Hair Studio.

Brian Lara – $60 million

He was the most successful West Indian cricketer of recent years and a man who still holds batting records in both test and all first class cricket. When Brian Lara made 501 for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994, the release of related products was almost instant.

A similar thing happened when he broke the test cricket record by making 400 not out for the West Indies against England in Antigua ten years later. Merchandising obviously helps, but this formed just a part of Lara’s earnings over the years.

While he did play some franchise cricket, the left hander largely missed out on this boom. His earnings at international level would have been relatively modest by today’s standards, so those endorsements and product sales play a significant part.

Of course, like most of his contemporaries, Brian Lara has also been involved in coaching roles following the end of his playing days.

Shane Warne – $50 million

Of course, it’s sad to say that the great Shane Warne is no longer with us, but it’s worth underlining his figures as they offer a good insight into how much cricketers can make.

There are some obvious reasons as to why Warne amassed a fortune of $50 million. After his playing days were over, he worked as a coach and commentator. It’s not so well known that the Aussie leg spinner also played poker professionally and he once won over $20,000 in a single tournament.

Brand endorsements continued to add to his numbers. Like Jacques Kallis, Warnie also worked with Advanced Hair Studio while other endorsements were for Victoria Bitter, Dafabet and Messages on Hold.

Chris Gayle – $45 million

For many years, West Indies’ Chris Gayle was the most in-demand T20 player of them all. The man known as the Universe Boss has played all around the world for many T20 franchises.

Much of those $45 million earnings would have been generated by the IPL, but Gayle has boosted that income from other leagues. As an international cricketer with a long career, he would also have attracted excellen revenue, while advertising and other endorsements offer a significant boost.

Chris Gayle’s long list of brand endorsements includes Spartan Sports, Attitude.com and Agrani Homes.

Conclusion

There are some phenomenal sums of money on here and they underline just how much can be made from the game in the modern day. Huge IPL contracts have revolutionised the earnings that a player can achieve across their career.

It’s also interesting to note that players from India and Australia dominate the list. The rise of the IPL is one factor, but is the Big Bash having the same effect Down Under? Of course, everyone here is a modern cricketer and that underlines the earning potential of anyone who can make a significant mark in the game.

There are exceptions with two West Indians and a South African in the top ten. Overall, the list underlines how much money is in the game these days and, as with any lists of this kind, it will be fascinating to see who can break through in the future.

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Top Cricket YouTube Channels

CricBuzz

If you’ve ever searched for cricket news or stats then you’ll already be familiar with CricBuzz. Their website is full of information and their YouTube channel is one of the busiest online. It can tend to be dominated by the biggest events of the time and, when the IPL is on, there is not much else to see.

However, there are many posts each day so there’s lots to enjoy on one of the most active and popular video sharing platforms around.

Cricket Country

Cricket Country is a great site for big match previews. If you want to stay informed over the latest team news and form guides for all the major games, this is the place to be.

There’s also a great deal of highlights so, if you miss out on the action initially, it’s easy to catch up. Cricket Country also posts multiple videos every day.

Cricket Classics

As the name suggests, this is the place to be if you enjoy watching great cricket action from the past. Cricket Classics focuses on the big games and the big names as it delivers the best highlights from yesteryear.

The frequency isn’t as high as some of the channels on this list but, if you love your cricketing nostalgia, it’s all worth waiting for.

Cricket.com.au

For cricket fans in Australia, this is the best YouTube channel to follow. This is the official website of the governing body in the country, and it gives extensive coverage to news and action from games around Australia.

There is a good balance of test and state cricket here. It’s one of the top cricket YouTube channels if you’re following the Australian team from anywhere in the world. Updates are more frequent during the season but there’s always something new coming along.

England and Wales Cricket Board

For English cricket fans, the England and Wales Cricket Board is the best channel for accessing news and highlights of the game in this particular country. The international teams get extensive coverage but the counties also come fully under the spotlight when the season begins.

It’s also one of the busiest YouTube channels with several updates a day during the summer and a regular stream of videos in the winter months.

weCricket

This is one of the best cricket YouTube channels for coaching videos. Those that run it will often take a bowling machine and using strategically placed cameras, they will show you what it’s like to face all types of bowling.

It’s both fun and educational and weCricket is a great channel no matter where you happen to be with your own particular game.

Which Cricketer has a YouTube Channel?

Akash Chopra

When you ask which cricketer has a YouTube channel, there are many but some are better than others. Akash Chopra was a respected Indian international and many will be familiar with his commentary and analysis of the game.

Because he was such a respected figure during his playing days, Akash Chopra gets really close to the players and his YouTube channel therefore carries some of the most insightful interviews around.

Shoaib Akhtar

The lightning-fast pace bowler known as the Rawalpindi Express has his own YouTube channel and it’s immensely popular. There’s a good mix of everything here, starting with plenty of highlights from Shoaib’s distinguished career.

There’s a little bit of coaching too and, not surprisingly, a lot of it is about bowling fast. Cricket analysis and previews of Pakistani cricket can also be found on this varied channel.

Snehal Pradhan

After enjoying a brief career in women’s international cricket, Snehal Pradhan now has a popular channel. It’s one of the top YouTube channels covering the women’s game but it’s also a varied site with something for all tastes.

Coaching is covered extensively and you can also get some great previews and insights into both the men’s and women’s games.

Pat Cummins

Australia’s test captain is a busy user of social media in all its platforms. He’s frequently seen on Twitter but he also has an active and popular youtube channel. Cricket fans from all over the world can enjoy its content.

It is mostly there to highlight Cummins’ life as a cricketer and that will be especially interesting for any young player hoping to get involved in the game. His family life is also touched upon. He’s an interesting and likeable character and this is why his player’s YouTube channel is highly recommended.

Brad Hogg

A colourful character who played the game into his 40s, Brad Hogg also has the type of respect that allows players to get close to him. He became a commentator once his playing days came to an end but he now seems to focus on one of the top YouTube channels around.

Along with those interviews, Hogg also provides expert analysis and it’s a thoroughly thought provoking set of videos.

Can I watch Live Cricket on YouTube?

Yes, there are lots of channels around which will live stream cricket for free. It’s easier to find games that aren’t picked up by the live TV broadcasters so, for example, you should find that each English county will stream their games on YouTube.

The same principle applies for state sides around the world. As for the bigger broadcasters on YouTube, keep an eye out for Cricket World, the European Cricket Network, England and Wales Cricket Board and Windies Cricket.

Conclusion

YouTube is an important social media tool, and it remains the most powerful platform in terms of video sharing. As we have seen while working through this round up, there are many ways in which cricketers and cricketing associations can harness that power.

It’s possible to use YouTube in all sorts of ways. Match previews, highlights, coaching tips and general news stories are among the most popular. You can even use it to live stream cricket matches in the present day. It’s the biggest and the best and it gives us greater access to our favourite sport.

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Where is the World’s Biggest Cricket Museum?

The biggest cricket museum in the world is the Blades of Glory Museum in Pune, India. It’s the most visited cricket museum in India and one that houses an incredible range of exhibits.

It’s situated in Sahakar Nagar in the city of Pune and is currently home to 2,000 items with around another 51,000 pieces of memorabilia waiting to be showcased. The brainchild of Rohan Pate, it’s the biggest of all current cricket museums and is starting to attract visitors from all over the world.

Who is Rohan Pate?

The man behind the biggest cricket museum in the world, Rohan Pate is a dedicated cricket fan and a former Indian Under 19 player. He started out as a personal collector, looking to acquire items at auction

Having started to pick up the occasional piece of memorabilia, Pate’s obsession grew. In the present day, he has now assembled more than 51,000 items, although not all of them are visible to the public as yet.

Cricket is very lucky to have a man such as Rohan Pate. South Africa’s legendary fast bowler Allan Donald said that he had never met anyone as passionate about the game and that passion has led to the largest cricket museum in India and the world.

The World’s Best Cricket Museums

New Zealand Cricket Museum, Wellington

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and it has been the site of many great cricketing contests over the years. The ground is known as the Basin Reserve and that’s where you can find this amazing cricket museum.

First established in 1987, it is used to display cricket memorabilia from around the world but there is a focus on items from its native New Zealand. Remember that this country produced some of the world’s best players including Sir Richard Hadlee who is their only player knighted for cricketing reasons.

Items of Hadlee’s match gear are contained in the New Zealand cricket museum alongside those of Bert Sutcliffe and Stephen Fleming. Women’s cricket gets a lot of coverage too, as it should.

If you’re watching a game at the Basin Reserve or, if you’re just in the Wellington area, a trip to the New Zealand cricket museum is highly recommended.

Blades of Glory Cricket Museum, Pune, India

We’ve already met Rohan Pate’s Blades of Glory and we know that this is the biggest cricket museum in the world. Over 51,000 pieces of cricket memorabilia are housed here with around 2,000 currently visible to the public.

Included in the collection is a bat which was once used by Donald Bradman and the pink ball that was used for the first ever day/night test match. There are many signed bats plus clothing, helmets, stumps, books and much more.

It is officially the biggest of the world’s many cricket museums and it looks like a trip to the Blades of Glory in Pune is in order before too long.

Melbourne Cricket Museum, Australia

The Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted the world’s first ever test match back in 1877 so it’s only fitting that the city should house a museum dedicated to the game. The biggest cricket museum in Australia is situated at the MCG and it was officially opened in 2006.

In the present day, it is home to over 1,500 exhibits which cover much of cricket’s history. Among the many highlights is a silver urn to replicate the Ashes which was awarded to Frank Laver’s successful team in 1909.

Look out too for the Blackham Ball, a well worn cricket ball which dates from the 19th century. It was used in the Ashes of 1882 and was responsible for the winning delivery at Lord’s. Wicket keeper Jack Blackham kept it for over 30 years until it was auctioned off in 1916 to raise funds for wounded First World War soldiers.

It’s a standout piece among many impressive items at the Melbourne Cricket Museum in Australia.

Lord’s Cricket Museum, London

This is the home of cricket so you would expect Lord’s to house one of the best cricket museums in the world. Situated in north west London, it’s open throughout the year but it can certainly provide a good addition to your enjoyment of a match here.

Up until the Blades of Glory location came along, this was the biggest cricket museum in the world, and it remains a vast treasure trove of fascinating items. The MCC Museum was officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1953 and its most treasured possession is the original Ashes Urn.

Created in 1888, the Ashes trophy was donated to Lord’s in 1928 and it rarely leaves the site. If you’re visiting the museum, it’s worth a trip for this artefact alone but there is so much more to enjoy.

Once again there is a lot of player-worn kit. This time, however, it goes deeper into history and it also involves players from all around the world. Shane Warne, Don Bradman, Jack Hobbs and many more have donated items to the Lord’s Museum.

From the dawn of cricket through to modern day innovations such as T20 and The Hundred, the MCC museum has it all.

Bradman Museum, Bowral, Australia

The great Don Bradman hailed from Bowral and it’s fitting that one of the best cricket museums around is situated in this New South Wales town.

Unsurprisingly, a lot of the artefacts that are stored here relate to the career of Bradman himself. There is match worn equipment including a baggy green cap plus blazers, bats and more.

This Australian cricket museum prides itself on the fact that it carries excellent archive video footage while interactive displays help visitors to get closer to their subject. While Don Bradman is the main focus, there are items from across the country and beyond and the museum aims to put cricket into context in terms of world history.

If you’re fascinated by the career of the world’s greatest ever batsman, a trip to the Bradman Museum at Bowral is a must. There is, however, plenty of other interesting things to see which will delight any cricket enthusiast.

Conclusion

A visit to a museum is a must if you are fanatical about any area of life. If you’re reading this, you may well share my passion for cricket and, if so, the locations here should now be on your radar.

Like any sport, cricket is proud of its heritage, but I think it is more careful than most about protecting its past. Thanks to societies and the hard work of individuals such as Rohan Pate, the concept of maintaining a cricket museum is thriving.

Some are steeped in history and have been open for many years. Others are newer but it’s great to see that there is interest in cricket museums. This ensures that the future will see even more exhibits added and maybe we’ll see some new establishments cropping up as the game continues to grow across the world.

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15 Best Cricket Books in 2022

1. Beyond a Boundary by CLR James

First published in 1963, Beyond a Boundary is a fascinating look at West Indian cricket through the eyes of the author. CLR James himself stated that the book wasn’t intended to be an autobiography or a look at some cricketing reminiscences so where is it placed?

In many ways it’s a social commentary of the time and that’s why the book has a much wider appeal. However, for cricket enthusiasts, particularly those with an interest in West Indian cricket, it’s a must read.

With that social element, it’s also of its time and Beyond a Boundary will also resonate with those who remember or have a deep affection for the 1960s.

2. Golden Boy: Kim Hughes and the Bad Old Days of Australian Cricket by Christian Ryans

It’s said that Kim Hughes wasn’t a popular choice of captain from within his own team. Certain senior members of the side felt that Rodney Marsh should have taken over from Ian Chappell and they gave Hughes a hard time as a result.

The other issue for Hughes was the fact that Australia had a weaker team at that point. The golden era of the mid-1970s was passing and the post-Packer days were having a detrimental effect on the squad. Golden Boy underlines all the struggles that Kim Hughes had to endure, all the way through to his tearful, resignation press conference.

He was a better player than many give him credit for and that’s largely due to the problems that captaincy brought him.

3. The Art of Captaincy by Mike Brearley

Mike Brearley may not have been England’s best cricketer but many firmly believe that he was his country’s greatest captain. The highlight of his career came in 1981 when he was recalled to lead the side in the wake of Ian Botham’s resignation.

While the outgoing skipper still had a huge part to play in ‘Botham’s Ashes’ it was Brearley’s shrewd captaincy that masterminded an incredible comeback win.

In The Art of Captaincy, Brearley, outlines all the techniques that he used to get the best out of his team unit. Maybe Australia’s Kim Hughes could have taken on some of the advice but, even if you are leading your side at village or club level, I would say that this book is indispensable.

4. A Social History of English Cricket by Derek Birley

This is another book where the sport of cricket meets the wider subject of history. Whereas Beyond a Boundary focused on the West Indies, this is the book you need to read if you want a microcosm of the English landscape.

A Social History of English Cricket was published in 1999 and it covers the sport from its very early years, all the way up to the dawn of a new millennium.

What’s particularly fascinating about this book is that it punctures one or two myths. Cricket is often seen as the gentleman’s game, particularly in the Victorian era, but that wasn’t always the case. I won’t give too much away but I suggest you give it a read to find out as I feel that the book conveys the most accurate picture of cricket through the centuries.

5. Coming Back To Me by Marcus Trescothick

Marcus Trescothick’s battles with mental health saw him withdraw from international cricket when he had so much more to give. It was a sad loss for the England side but the player had to take time out and deal with issues which were far more important.

There are plenty of cricket autobiographies out there – virtually everyone who has played internationally has written one – but I think this is the most open and honest book that I have ever read. Others who have reviewed it mention the sheer despair that Trescothick feels as he aims to battle his demons.

It’s also an interesting document of some of cricket’s greatest contests but it’s mainly about Marcus and his road back to health. Even if you’re not a cricket fan, I would say that Coming Back to me is worth a look for those who are suffering similar issues.

6. The Unquiet Ones by Osman Samiuddin

This is a history of cricket in Pakistan and many feel it’s the most comprehensive book on the subject. It starts at the very beginning with the birth of the country in 1947 and goes on to chart an incredible 70 years of play.

All of the best players and greatest moments from those years are underlined in this book. Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis are, perhaps, the best known but there are many more to discover as you read through the pages.

The highs, such as the 1992 World Cup win, are covered, and there are some low points too. Above all, Pakistan cricket refuses to ever give up and that’s why the title – The Unquiet Ones, is so perfect.

7. Basil D’Oliveira: Cricket and Controversy by Peter Oborne

The Basil D’Oliveira affair was a controversial one and it came at a time when Apartheid was about to make South Africa pariahs on the international sporting stage. Born in Cape Town, D’Oliveira later qualified for England and made his test debut against the West Indies in 1966.

Classed by the South Africans as Cape Coloured, he didn’t fit into the horrendous ethos of Apartheid and, it was made clear that D’Oliveira’s selection for England’s tour of South Africa would be unacceptable to the host nation.

Following an injury to Tom Cartwright, Basil D’Oliveira made the cut and the tour was cancelled. South Africa would subsequently be banned from international sport for 22 long years. It’s a dreadful tale and one that this book outlines in much greater detail. Cricket and Controversy also outlines the overall career of a very fine player.

8. Days in the Sun by Neville Cardus

A comprehensive collection of writing about our favourite game, Days in the Sun scours previous publications to document cricket’s literary mentions. The most famous of these occurs in Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens when a classic battle is played out at Dingley Dell.

Many other fictional accounts are covered here and there’s another story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – a man more famous for his Sherlock Holmes series. Non fiction works are also showcased including Beyond a Boundary by CLR James.

9. Harold Larwood – Duncan Hamilton

One of the fastest bowlers to have ever played the game, Harold Larwood was crucial to England’s success on the controversial Ashes tour of 1932/33. In this biography by Duncan Hamilton, we learn all about the role that Larwood played on that tour and the fact that he was made to be something of a scapegoat in the wake of the Bodyline controversy.

This book is very much written in the defence of the bowler. Rather than be consigned to the fringes of English cricket from 1933 onwards, Harold Larwood should very much be seen as a hero.

His statistics tend to back up that theory: 78 wickets in 21 tests suggest there should have been much more to come from a man who was said to be capable of bowling speeds of around 96 miles per hour.

10. No Spin by Shane Warne

Interest in Shane Warne will undoubtedly grow following his untimely passing in March 2022. No Spin is the autobiography of his career and no other book will take you closer to the tale of one of the greatest cricketers who ever lived.

From his debut in 1992 against India, all the way through to his emotional retirement in the victorious Ashes series of 2006/07, this is the definitive guide to Shane Warne. In later years, he became a respected commentator and his great insight into the sport is evident in this brilliant book.

11. A Corner of a Foreign Field by Ramachandra Guha

The history of cricket in specific countries has been a theme throughout this list of the best cricket books. In this title – A Corner of a Foreign Field – we’re heading to India as the author, Ramachandra Guha, takes us on a comprehensive journey.

All of the expected heroes are here in this book and Sachin Tendulkar naturally gets a lot of coverage. However, the book goes much deeper and, like some other great titles on this list, it is very much a look at social history as much as anything else.

The fall of Empire kicks things off with India starting to develop as a sporting nation. The country excels at cricket but the players are learning their craft in those early years. In time, some brilliant players start to emerge such as Palwankar Baloo who is generally regarded as the first of India’s great slow bowlers.

It’s a mighty piece of work and you won’t find a better study of this great cricketing nation.

12. Rain Men – Marcus Berkmann

As a club and village cricketer for many years, I can really identify with this book by Marcus Berkmann. Cricket isn’t all about the professional game and this is a hilarious look at us amateurs who turn out every week for the pure pursuit of fun.

All of the hilarity is there in a beautifully observed book and many of us will identify with the characters in Rain Men. We’ll start to really identify with the players of the Captain Scott XI in one of the few genuinely funny cricket books around.

It’s also a tale that will resonate with anyone who started out with dreams of playing professional cricket when they were younger.

13. A Century Is Not Enough – Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly was a very single minded cricketer who wasn’t always popular with his teammates and that single mindedness is reflected in the title of this book. A Century isn’t enough for the players at the very top of their game who want to keep batting and batting for as long as possible.

Ganguly made a highest score of 239 in test cricket and he also hit 183 at the 1999 World Cup so he’s well placed to back up his viewpoint. This book also documents the player’s brilliant career but it mainly focuses on the mindset that got him there. If you want to know just what it takes to succeed at the highest level in any walk of life, this could be the book for you.

14. Australia 55 by Alan Ross

There have been many books written about cricket tours but many suggest that Australia 55 is the best of them. As the name suggests, it focuses on England and Australia as they look to battle for the Ashes, in the 1954/55 series.

Tours were very different in those days and Alan Ross, who was sent to report on the action, covers this series with wit and knowledge. It’s a fascinating look at the travels of cricketers in a bygone age and it was an exceptionally hard fought Ashes battle too, with England eventually triumphing by three tests to one.

15. Penguins Stopped Play – Harry Thompson

Harry Thompson was a former teammate of Marcus Berkmann and is featured in the initial Rain Men book. At some stage, the two had something of a falling out and Penguins Stopped Play documents what happened when Thompson went his own way.

The rather curious title relates to that great occasion for the club player – the cricket tour. In this case, Thompson and his team are taking the concept to new heights as they aim to play on all seven continents of the globe. Like the Rain Men book, Penguins Stopped Play is written with some traditional British humour and the attempts to complete this challenge are met with hilarious results.

The post 15 Best Cricket Books you Must Read (Updated for 2022) appeared first on Its Only Cricket.

List of Cricket Related Presents – What to Get Someone that Likes Cricket?

For someone passionate about cricket, a gift related to cricket will hold a special and long-lasting impression. Let’s explore various cricket gift ideas here.

1. Cricket Beginner’s Set

A cricket set is always a perfect gift for any cricket lover. If you are looking for a gift for a kid who loves cricket, you can go for a Cricket Beginner’s Set such as Gunn & Moore GM Diamond Cricket Set. Such a set comes with a bat, bowl and stumps.

The cricket set designed for beginners includes GM’s cricket bat, a soft Tennis/Cricket ball, 4 stumps and a bail along with a durable bag to carry the set. It’s an excellent choice for young cricketers starting their journey in the sport. This range of products is endorsed by England’s star All Rounder and World Cup Winner – Ben Stokes. You need to be careful though and not use hard cricket balls with the set, and only use the ball provided with it.

2. Cricket Book

We recommend this book named “Cricket: 99.94 Tips to Improve Your Game”. This is an apt choice to gift a teenager or an adult cricketer who is trying to learn cricket and seek useful tips. It covers all three aspects of the game – batting, bowling and fielding. In this book, you can read comments from Merv Hughes, Brad Hodge, Cameron White, David Hussey, Belinda Clark and other great players.

3. Cricket Socks

For your reference, you can buy these Cricket Lover Socks. It comes with 2 pairs of unisex socks made of 77% Combed cotton, 20% cotton fibre, and 3 % Spandex. It’s a perfect pair of socks that comes in one size which fits most people. And at the bottom of the socks, you can see a cool phrase – “I’d Rather Be Playing Cricket”.

4. Cricket Ball

We recommend Cricnix Gold Red Leather Cricket Ball for practising and training. It’s an apt choice for net practice, and for women and junior cricket. This ball is made with two-piece good-quality leather. Made in Pakistan, it has a 14-day money-back policy as well.

5. Cricket Cap

KD Sports’ Cricket India Cap is one such cool cap available in the market. Along with the stylish look, its sweat soaking fabric gives comfort during long matches under the sun.

6. Cricket Wall Clock

Wall clocks do not fit in the list of common cricket gift ideas, but that’s exactly what makes it a unique idea. A customized wall clock made specifically for cricket is an excellent gift option for cricket enthusiasts.

Lepri4ok brand’s Cricket Vinyl Record Wall Clock can be presented on any occasion. It’s a great gift to enhance the home decor with this clock which is made out of vintage music vinyl records. So with this cricket gift, you will also get a wall decor that comes with a history.

7. Cricket Cufflinks

Another gift idea for a cricket lover is Cufflinks. Though, it’s primarily meant for adults and those who love to flaunt styles. Cricket cufflinks come with the design related to cricket equipment, a batter or a bowler.

MRCUFF’s pair of cricket cufflinks showing a batter bat is a highly recommended gift item for the groom, father, husband, boyfriend or boss. It’s a perfect cricket gift idea for weddings. It blends well with formal or business attire. It comes in a hard presentation box and includes a microfiber polishing cloth.

8. Cricket T-shirt

Among this list of cricket related presents, a cricket t-shirt is the most common, most desired and easy-to-get gift item. Such jerseys may come with printed country names and cricketer’s jersey numbers too to show support to your team and your most-loved player.

We suggest KD’s Cricket T-shirt – World Cup 2021 Supporter jersey, which can have a customized name and number. Uniforms of all the international cricket teams are available. It has Dri-Max 100 per cent Polyester for better moisture-wicking. Its Poly-Mesh Material also allows faster cooling and easy breathing.

9. Cricket Mug

The simplest yet most suited cricket gifts are cricket mugs. To the one you gift, his or her everyday breakfast would turn into a cheerful experience as it would highlight their interest in the game. Such cups can be customized, to have a photo, a quote or a funny phrase.

Explore this cricket mug gift item from the Q.PaddyShops brand. It looks like an ideal choice to gift to a husband, boyfriend or father. The quote on this cup just emphasizes one’s passion for the game of cricket. The mug has a capacity of 11 ounces. It’s microwave-safe and suitable for both machine and handwash.

10. Cricket Art

You can get a variety of themes and styles in cricket art, and it can be gifted to a true cricket lover who is also an art appreciator. It’s a kind of gift that enhances the recipient’s home decor.

One such gift option is Cricket Player Watercolor Wall Art which shows a male batter playing his shot. There are other themes and styles available too. The art is 12*15 inches in size, framed and ready to hang. Made with good quality colours, it’s a very nice gift option for parents, friends, relatives, colleagues, partners, neighbours and children.

11. Cricket Sticker Book

A cricket sticker book is a very nice way of introducing younger kids to various aspects of cricket like rules, fielding positions etc. It’s a brilliant gift choice for the kids who are learning or just started getting familiar with cricket.

This Cricket Sticker Book comes with 450 stickers and pages on the rules of cricket. Younger cricket fans would love to dress the bowlers, batsmen and fielders in their cricket gear, and organize them on the field. All this can be done with this cricket sticker book. It’s a perfect combination of learning and fun.

12. Cricket DVDs

For a true cricket lover, who does not even skip matches highlights, or is passionate about historic cricketers and their records, a set of Cricket DVDs can be an excellent choice.

We recommend this Legends of Cricket Box Set that comes with 7 DVDs about 50 Greatest Cricketers. You can find 100 minutes of recording in the first DVD related to Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards and Shane Warne.

In the second DVD, Sachin Tendulkar and Imran Khan are highlighted. Contents on Sunil Gavaskar can be seen in the third DVD, while Graeme Pollock and Malcolm Marshall are part of the fourth DVD. Greg Chappell and Sir Frank Worrell made it into the fifth DVD. Sixth media features Wasim Akram, Kapil Dev, and Steve Waugh. Allan Border and other legendary cricketers are highlighted in the last.

13. Cricket Flashing Stumps Kit

Flashing cricket stumps can be gifted to your friends, kids, and family to make their game more thrilling. An ideal cricket gift, this set comes in bright colours with sparkling stumps and bails. It is suitable for age groups 5 to 14 years as well as for adults and seniors.

Check out this Proto’s Flashing Stumps Kit, which is an ideal replacement for traditional cricket stumps due to its illumination and special battery mechanism. The stumps have unique LED lights which are powered by hidden low voltage batteries, and they light up as the ball hits the stumps.

14. Cricket Refrigerator Magnet

If you wish to give someone memorabilia related to cricket, a cricket refrigerator magnet is a very good option. You can try such refrigerator magnets from Makoroni – on which it’s written – EAT SLEEP CRICKET. It can be used on Refrigerators, Locker, Cubicles, Tool Boxes and many other places. These cricket memorabilia are perfect gifts for passionate cricket followers. Makoroni’s novelty magnet is made with fine quality ink colours and the graphics are made from weather and water protective materials, making it a unique gift for men, women, and students.

15. Test Cricket Pocket Sports Game

There is one more in this list of cricket related presents – Test Cricket Pocket Sports Game. Such a sports game offers the thrill of Test Cricket. In this game, there are 8 custom dice. Two dice are for pace bowling and spin bowling. Two dice are meant for batting styles, 1 each for fielding, running, umpiring and the DRS (Decision Review System).

Enjoy the heat of Test Cricket as you make the effort to get your man out! With the package containing 8 custom dice, experience two bowling styles (pace and spin), two batting styles, fielding, runs, umpire and the new DRS die.

Conclusion

The gift ideas are endless. But now you must have got sufficient insights into the possible cricket related presents, including some of the most suited and best-in-market gifts or memorabilia. Hopefully, you will be able buy exceptional cricket gift for your special ones, with ease.

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