5 Cricketers who have played international cricket with physical disabilities

Martin-Guptill. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Cricket as a sport is one of the career options where staying healthy is essential. Nowadays, when every sport is getting more competitive, a player’s career is mostly determined by their level of fitness. 

Under such conditions, one of the most unbelievable things a player can do is play at the greatest level while disabled. On the other hand, there have been cases where disabled cricket players have advanced to the highest levels of national representation. Players like them who tend to follow their passions inspire future generations.

Today, we take a look at five such inspiring cricketers who defeated their disabilities to follow their passion for playing cricket.

Here are 5 Cricketers who have played with physical disabilities:

5. Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar. (Photo Source: Twitter)

When the Rawalpindi Express steamed in from that unusually long run-up, many batsmen questioned their career decision. Shoaib Akhtar was a terrifying figure at his peak. On the outside, he appeared to be built for cricket. But the truth was quite different. The first disability Shoaib had was that he was flat-footed, which made running hard for him. 

But the most debilitating disability he suffered was hyperextension in his joints which caused the filling of fluids in his knees, which led to swelling and excruciating pain. Akhtar revealed that he couldn’t even walk till he was five due to knee issues. He also said that he regularly had to remove fluid from his knees in between innings and intervals. 

Still, Akhtar managed to break the 100-mph barrier and picked up 178 wickets in 48 Tests and 247 wickets in 163 ODIs. 

Also check: Fastest deliveries in World Cup history

4. Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill

New Zealand’s Martin Guptill holds the record for the highest individual score in World Cup history- 237* which came in the 2015 edition against West Indies. He played 47 Tests, scoring 2586 runs with 3 centuries and in 198 ODIs, he made 7346 runs with 18 centuries. He also made 3531 runs in 122 T20Is. 

However, Martin Guptill playing top-flight cricket for so long is an achievement in itself as he has only two toes on his left foot. This makes being balanced while walking and running difficult for him. Guptill lost three of his toes in a forklift accident at the age of 13. Doctors tried hard to get the feet rectified, but it was not to be. They had to amputate three toes.  

3. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar. (Photo Source: BCCI)

Washington Sundar has made quite a name for himself in Indian cricket and is considered to be an important part of the Men in Blue side in all three formats. The youngster made his India debut in 2017 and has played 4 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 40 T20Is thus far, taking a total of 53 wickets. He also has 5 half-centuries in international cricket.

However, not many know that Washington Sundar is deaf in one ear. When he was 4-5 years old, he told his parents about this weakness. After that, they took him to the doctor, but nothing happened. But he played against his weakness and has become part of the Indian team.

2. Bhagwat Chandrasekhar

Bhagwat Chandrasekhar

Considered to be one of the best leg-spinners of all-time Bhagwat Chandrasekhar played 58 Tests and 1 ODI for India from 1964-1976. He picked 242 Test wickets and 3 ODI wickets. He was known for his quick arm action and lengthy run-up. He played a huge role in India’s first-ever Test win in England in 1971 and is considered an all-time great spinner. 

Not many know, but Chandrasekhar, who was born in 1945, was struck down by polio when he was around five years old and lost sensation in his right hand. He grew up playing table tennis and badminton with his left hand. He received massage therapy and other methods in an attempt to help him gain some strength in the right hand. He recovered and got sensation back in his right hand, but it remained shrivelled due to muscle atrophy. 

1. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi or Tiger Pataudi, was a Nawab and son of former England and India cricketer Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. He was known for galvanizing players to play for India, and not for their state teams. He is also India’s youngest Test captain at 21 years old. Pataudi went on to play 46 Tests, scoring 2793 runs with 6 centuries.

However, all his career, Pataudi played with only one good eye. On 1 July 1961, he was a passenger in a car that was involved in an accident in Hove. A shard of glass from the broken windscreen penetrated and permanently damaged his right eye. Despite doctors’ best efforts, they were only successful in saving his one eye.

Pataudi experienced double vision but trained himself to play with one eye. He found it easiest to play with his cap pulled down over his damaged right eye. And 6 months after losing his eye,  Pataudi made his Test debut for India.