5 off-the-field weird pictures of cricketers

The age of social media has indubitably brought people closer to one another. In fact, it has also allowed various celebrities including actors, singers, sportspersons etc to connect and interact with their fans. With the advent of websites which allow convenient networking at a single click or a single touch, one can interact with the whole world at the same time.

The usage of social media has increased exponentially since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. Just like other celebrities, cricketers all over the globe have taken the virtual route in order to connect with their fans. Many players are in the habit of entertaining their fans by indulging in hilarious antics over the internet.

The pandemic has seen David Warner making a truckload of TikTok Videos, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya pushing past their limits and challenging each other to push-ups and a bunch of other cricketers communicating with their fans through live sessions.

Many cricketers post various pictures on the Internet which may, intentionally or unintentionally, tickle the funny bone of viewers. While some pictures are deliberately taken to spread humour, others are epic fails which often lends a lot of comic potential to such media.

In this article, we will look at 5 off-the-field weird pictures of various cricketers: –

1. Shahid Afridi and his obsession with GOAT

The first picture on this list sparked a controversy when it first started doing rounds on the social media. How often do you expect to see a national figure posing for a picture with the decapitated head of a farm animal in his hand? The legendary Pakistani cricketer already has a knack of sparking up controversies and featuring in the news every now and then.

The Khyber Agency born cricketer is one of the most respected players of his nation. With numerous records to his name including the fastest century (which he held for 17 years until Corey Anderson surpassed him), the all-rounder could have left an untainted legacy if it had not been for his antics both on and off the field. A regular contributor for his nation’s cricket team, he has always faltered whenever the big picture came to the fore.

The picture depicts a dark and disturbed sentiment with a little girl standing beside Afridi looking horrified as the cricketer smiles whilst flaunting the dead animal. The picture offended many people across the globe and till date, remains as one of the weirdest and disturbing off-the-field picture of a cricketer.

3. Royal Navghan and the Cavalry

Ravindra Jadeja, the dynamic Indian all-rounder has made a name for himself as one of the most athletic cricketers in the world. Quick behind the ball on a cricketing field, he often enjoys the company of some other athletic animals off the cricketing fields. His love for the stallions is known to everyone and he often spends a lot of time with them when relieved from national duties.

The 31 year old left-arm spinner is widely regarded as the best all-rounder in the current Indian team. One of the only few players still regular in all forms of cricket, he plays an important yet underrated role in almost all the matches.

In the picture, he is seen standing on the top of a horse whilst looking down at the ground.  He also drew parallels between his horses, Ganga, Kesar and Dhanraj and the Indian team. According to him, Kesar was like his Saurashtra team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara, calm and hard-working.

3. Ishan Pandya?

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan both play for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and share a good camaraderie between them. Pandya, often regarded as the goofball of the Indian cricket team, is a lovable person who gets along with everyone in the squad. In this picture, the all-rounder is seen picking up his younger team-mate with his arms.

Pandya posted this picture on 18th July 2020-Kishan’s birthday and referred to him as Chotu Pandya in the caption. Pleasantries were exchanged between the two team-mates and Hardik’s wife Natasa Stankovic in the comments section of the post.

One of the most eccentric cricketers of the generation, Pandya often turns into a beast in the cricket field. For the last few years, Pandya has been the driving force behind the Indian team. He has often stood up in difficult situations and led the team to victory.

4. Medieval Wars: Ganguly v. Inzamam

Ever since India got independent from British rule and Pakistan was carved out from the undivided territory, tensions have been rife between the two nations. The rivalry between the two is quite pronounced in the Indo-Pak matches, which have acquired a huge fanbase since the 1980s. Both teams have an edge over each other in various departments. Despite being arch-rivals on the field, players share a good bond between themselves when away from the cricketing domain.

Before India cut off its ties and boycotted Pakistan in international matches (leaving ICC and ACC tournaments aside), Indo-Pak matches were a huge revenue-earning opportunity for both the national boards. Thus, a lot of effort was put into advertising the bilateral series between the nations.

The given picture was taken while shooting a commercial before Pakistan toured India 15 years ago, way back in 2005. In the picture, Sourav Ganguly and Inzamam-ul-Haq are seen sporting medieval attire and facing each other off for a battle. The picture may be logically as well as temporally flawed as both the nations existed together as an undivided India during the medieval time-period.

5. Kohli, Shami and Shaw’s Virat attempt at comedy

The Indian cricket team has one of the most strenuous schedules of all the international teams. Packed with unending matches and series one after the other, players often have to find ways to decompress and relax while still remaining with the squad. One of the most effective ways to relieve oneself from stress and workload is by spending quality time with fellow mates.

The Indian team is like a closely-knit family. Players apparently get along with each other quite well and act as stressbusters for each other. In this picture, we see Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami and the young Prithvi Shaw spending quality time by attempting to click a comical picture.

In the picture, all three players are looking in different directions while Kohli and Shami are also sticking their tongue out for a comedic effect. Kohli posted the picture on his Instagram account captioning it as ‘Naya Post Sundar Dost’. Shami replied to the post referring to the trio as ‘Trimoorti’ whilst humorously feigning ignorance as to who were the three people in the picture.