World Cricket has witnessed numerous champion batters take the stage and left the world in awe with their magnificent performances. From the likes of Sir Donald Bradman to Sir Vivian Richards to <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/sachin-tendulkar-opens-up-on-comparisons-with-lionel-messis-world-cup-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sachin Tendulkar</a>, many superstars of the game have graced the sport and stamped their authority on the cricket field.

However, certain top-drawer players who are presently known for their spectacular batting displays found it difficult to survive in the international arena initially. These cricketers were not able to ace the role for which they were handed their debuts, but altering their batting position helped them to restore their careers.

Here are five players who rejuvenated their careers by changing their batting order

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1675748415440_Ravi-Shastri.jpeg" alt="Ravi Shastri" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Ravi Shastri (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/they-were-a-bit-timid-at-the-top-ravi-shastri-backs-indian-batters-newform-aggressive-approach-in-t20is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ravi Shastri</a> first donned the national colours in the year 1981. In the nascent stage of his international career, Shastri was more of a bowler who could provide useful contributions with the bat lower down the order. However, his stocks in world cricket experienced an exponential rise, when he started the proceedings with the bat for the Men in Blue.

Shastri was quite remarkable in the opening slot and notched up 1101 in 17 Tests at an average of over 40. Also, he featured in 49 ODIs as an opener and plundered 1464 runs at a healthy average. The former Indian cricketer's rise as an opener not only helped him to extend his international career but also gain recognition in the cricketing fraternity as a capable batter.

Shastri represented the Indian team in 80 Tests and 3830 runs at an average of 35.79. On the bowling front, he bagged 151 wickets at an average of 40.96. In the ODIs, the Mumbai-born scored 3108 runs in 150 matches at an average of 36.04 and picked up 129 wickets at an economy of 4.21. The former Indian all-rounder last played for the Men in Blue in December 1992.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/bpl-2023-shoaib-malik-gets-guard-of-honour-in-his-500th-t20-match/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shoaib Malik</a> burst onto the international scene in 1999, as an off-spinner. However, he was quite dismal with the ball in his starting years, and due to this, the Sialkot-born was not able to cement his position in the team. However, it was in 2002, when Shoaib redefined his credentials as a player and the world take notice of his newly developed skillset.

The right-handed batter was pushed higher up in the batting line-up which gave Shoaib’s international career a new lease of life. He featured in 12 ODIs in 2002 and notched up 369 runs at an average of 41.00. Shoaib’s stature in the international arena grew leaps and bounds in the years to come and he went on to become of the finest cricketers to have played for Pakistan.

Shoaib notched up 7534 runs in 287 ODIs at a strike rate of 81.90 and bagged 158 wickets at an economy of 4.66. He hung his boots from the 50-over format in 2019. The veteran batter has been magnificent in the T20Is as well, racking up 2435 runs in 124 matches at a strike rate of 125.64 and taking 28 scalps for the Men in Green.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ind-vs-sl-rohit-sharma-welcomes-challenging-bowling-conditions-in-1st-odi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> kick-started his international career as a middle-order batter. Though he showed glimpses of brilliance across formats, consistency eluded him and thus, the right-handed batter was not able to become a regular feature in the team. The team management decided to slot him in the opening position during the tour of South Africa in January 2011 but the move did not pay off as he could score only 29 runs in three outings.

Rohit was again entrusted to play the opener’s role in the ODI series against England in January 2013. He knocked the wind out of the opposition’s bowlers and smashed a blistering half-century. The Nagpur-born had a phenomenal run at the opening slot and hammered a total of 1196 runs in 28 ODIs played in 2013 at an average of 52.00.

Rohit continued dismantling bowling attacks with his marauding bat in the years to follow and has emerged as one of the finest opening batters in world cricket. He has plundered 9782 runs in 241 ODIs at an average of 48.91. Talking about the T20Is, the Indian skipper has aggregated 3853 runs in 148 matches at a strike rate of 139.24.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/winning-a-test-series-in-india-is-bigger-than-the-ashes-steve-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith</a> made his Australia debut in 2010 as a leg-spinner. However, he was quite mediocre with his performances and not given a consistent run in the national side. Smith featured in four Tests that year and could bag only three scalps in those outings Though the Sydney-born played handy knocks with the bat slotting in at lower down the order, his inability to ace the spinner’s role worked against him and he was dropped from the side.

Smith’s career took off when he was drafted into the side as a genuine batter. In the third game of the four-match Test series against India in 2013, he was slotted in the middle-order and made an immediate impact, scoring a well-compiled 92 runs. However, the flamboyant cricketer rose to prominence with his exploits in The Ashes 2013, which saw him score 345 runs in five games at an average of 38.33.

Smith continued piling runs for fun in the years to come and has become a lynchpin of the Australian batting line-up. Test cricket has been his happy hunting ground where he has amassed 8647 runs in 92 matches at a magnificent average of 60.89. Coming to the ODIs, the veteran batter has accumulated 4917 runs in 139 games at an average of 45.11.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/feeling-so-emotional-sanath-jayasuriya-elated-after-sri-lankas-series-win-over-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sanath Jayasuriya</a> broke into the international arena in 1989 and played the role of a bowling all-rounder. However, in the years to come, he showed his power-hitting might on many occasions and took bowling attacks to the cleaners. Witnessing Jayasuriya’s exploits with the bat, the team management decided to slot him at the top of the order.

The move not only changed Sri Lankan cricket but also changed the way how limited-overs cricket was played. In the Wills World Cup 1996, Jayasuriya played a fearless brand of cricket and took the attack to the opposition right from the get-go, providing his side with brisk starts. He smashed 221 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 131.54. The former Sri Lankan cricketer’s magnificent showings were instrumental in the Lankan Lions clinching their maiden world title.

Jayasuriya went on to become one of the greats of the game. He amassed an insane tally of 13430 runs in 445 ODIs at a strike rate of 91.20 and bagged 323 wickets at an economy of 4.78. When it came to the longest format of the game, the Matara-born piled on 6973 runs in 110 games and picked up 98 scalps in those outings. The legendary cricketer retired from Tests in 2007 and from white-ball cricket in 2011.

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/crictracker/id6443913175" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IOS App Store</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crictracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Play Store</a>

World Cricket has witnessed numerous champion batters take the stage and left the world in awe with their magnificent performances. From the likes of Sir Donald Bradman to Sir Vivian Richards to <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/sachin-tendulkar-opens-up-on-comparisons-with-lionel-messis-world-cup-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sachin Tendulkar</a>, many superstars of the game have graced the sport and stamped their authority on the cricket field.
However, certain top-drawer players who are presently known for their spectacular batting displays found it difficult to survive in the international arena initially. These cricketers were not able to ace the role for which they were handed their debuts, but altering their batting position helped them to restore their careers.
<h3>Here are five players who rejuvenated their careers by changing their batting order</h3>
<h3>5. Ravi Shastri</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1675748415440_Ravi-Shastri.jpeg" alt="Ravi Shastri" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Ravi Shastri (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/they-were-a-bit-timid-at-the-top-ravi-shastri-backs-indian-batters-newform-aggressive-approach-in-t20is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ravi Shastri</a> first donned the national colours in the year 1981. In the nascent stage of his international career, Shastri was more of a bowler who could provide useful contributions with the bat lower down the order. However, his stocks in world cricket experienced an exponential rise, when he started the proceedings with the bat for the Men in Blue.
Shastri was quite remarkable in the opening slot and notched up 1101 in 17 Tests at an average of over 40. Also, he featured in 49 ODIs as an opener and plundered 1464 runs at a healthy average. The former Indian cricketer's rise as an opener not only helped him to extend his international career but also gain recognition in the cricketing fraternity as a capable batter.
Shastri represented the Indian team in 80 Tests and 3830 runs at an average of 35.79. On the bowling front, he bagged 151 wickets at an average of 40.96. In the ODIs, the Mumbai-born scored 3108 runs in 150 matches at an average of 36.04 and picked up 129 wickets at an economy of 4.21. The former Indian all-rounder last played for the Men in Blue in December 1992.

<h3>4. Shoaib Malik</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Shoaib-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Shoaib Malik" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/bpl-2023-shoaib-malik-gets-guard-of-honour-in-his-500th-t20-match/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shoaib Malik</a> burst onto the international scene in 1999, as an off-spinner. However, he was quite dismal with the ball in his starting years, and due to this, the Sialkot-born was not able to cement his position in the team. However, it was in 2002, when Shoaib redefined his credentials as a player and the world take notice of his newly developed skillset.
The right-handed batter was pushed higher up in the batting line-up which gave Shoaib’s international career a new lease of life. He featured in 12 ODIs in 2002 and notched up 369 runs at an average of 41.00. Shoaib’s stature in the international arena grew leaps and bounds in the years to come and he went on to become of the finest cricketers to have played for Pakistan.
Shoaib notched up 7534 runs in 287 ODIs at a strike rate of 81.90 and bagged 158 wickets at an economy of 4.66. He hung his boots from the 50-over format in 2019. The veteran batter has been magnificent in the T20Is as well, racking up 2435 runs in 124 matches at a strike rate of 125.64 and taking 28 scalps for the Men in Green.

<h3>3. Rohit Sharma</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1674303374982_Rohit-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ind-vs-sl-rohit-sharma-welcomes-challenging-bowling-conditions-in-1st-odi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> kick-started his international career as a middle-order batter. Though he showed glimpses of brilliance across formats, consistency eluded him and thus, the right-handed batter was not able to become a regular feature in the team. The team management decided to slot him in the opening position during the tour of South Africa in January 2011 but the move did not pay off as he could score only 29 runs in three outings.
Rohit was again entrusted to play the opener’s role in the ODI series against England in January 2013. He knocked the wind out of the opposition’s bowlers and smashed a blistering half-century. The Nagpur-born had a phenomenal run at the opening slot and hammered a total of 1196 runs in 28 ODIs played in 2013 at an average of 52.00.
Rohit continued dismantling bowling attacks with his marauding bat in the years to follow and has emerged as one of the finest opening batters in world cricket. He has plundered 9782 runs in 241 ODIs at an average of 48.91. Talking about the T20Is, the Indian skipper has aggregated 3853 runs in 148 matches at a strike rate of 139.24.

<h3>2. Steve Smith</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1669872424008_Steve-Smith.jpeg" alt="Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/winning-a-test-series-in-india-is-bigger-than-the-ashes-steve-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith</a> made his Australia debut in 2010 as a leg-spinner. However, he was quite mediocre with his performances and not given a consistent run in the national side. Smith featured in four Tests that year and could bag only three scalps in those outings Though the Sydney-born played handy knocks with the bat slotting in at lower down the order, his inability to ace the spinner’s role worked against him and he was dropped from the side.
Smith’s career took off when he was drafted into the side as a genuine batter. In the third game of the four-match Test series against India in 2013, he was slotted in the middle-order and made an immediate impact, scoring a well-compiled 92 runs. However, the flamboyant cricketer rose to prominence with his exploits in The Ashes 2013, which saw him score 345 runs in five games at an average of 38.33.
Smith continued piling runs for fun in the years to come and has become a lynchpin of the Australian batting line-up. Test cricket has been his happy hunting ground where he has amassed 8647 runs in 92 matches at a magnificent average of 60.89. Coming to the ODIs, the veteran batter has accumulated 4917 runs in 139 games at an average of 45.11.

<h3>1. Sanath Jayasuriya</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1675748692615_Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg" alt="Sanath Jayasuriya" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/feeling-so-emotional-sanath-jayasuriya-elated-after-sri-lankas-series-win-over-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sanath Jayasuriya</a> broke into the international arena in 1989 and played the role of a bowling all-rounder. However, in the years to come, he showed his power-hitting might on many occasions and took bowling attacks to the cleaners. Witnessing Jayasuriya’s exploits with the bat, the team management decided to slot him at the top of the order.
The move not only changed Sri Lankan cricket but also changed the way how limited-overs cricket was played. In the Wills World Cup 1996, Jayasuriya played a fearless brand of cricket and took the attack to the opposition right from the get-go, providing his side with brisk starts. He smashed 221 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 131.54. The former Sri Lankan cricketer’s magnificent showings were instrumental in the Lankan Lions clinching their maiden world title.
Jayasuriya went on to become one of the greats of the game. He amassed an insane tally of 13430 runs in 445 ODIs at a strike rate of 91.20 and bagged 323 wickets at an economy of 4.78. When it came to the longest format of the game, the Matara-born piled on 6973 runs in 110 games and picked up 98 scalps in those outings. The legendary cricketer retired from Tests in 2007 and from white-ball cricket in 2011.
For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/crictracker/id6443913175" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IOS App Store</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crictracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Play Store</a>

World Cricket has witnessed numerous champion batters take the stage and left the world in awe with their magnificent performances. From the likes of Sir Donald Bradman to Sir Vivian Richards to <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/sachin-tendulkar-opens-up-on-comparisons-with-lionel-messis-world-cup-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sachin Tendulkar</a>, many superstars of the game have graced the sport and stamped their authority on the cricket field.
However, certain top-drawer players who are presently known for their spectacular batting displays found it difficult to survive in the international arena initially. These cricketers were not able to ace the role for which they were handed their debuts, but altering their batting position helped them to restore their careers.
<h3>Here are five players who rejuvenated their careers by changing their batting order</h3>
<h3>5. Ravi Shastri</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1675748415440_Ravi-Shastri.jpeg" alt="Ravi Shastri" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Ravi Shastri (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/they-were-a-bit-timid-at-the-top-ravi-shastri-backs-indian-batters-newform-aggressive-approach-in-t20is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ravi Shastri</a> first donned the national colours in the year 1981. In the nascent stage of his international career, Shastri was more of a bowler who could provide useful contributions with the bat lower down the order. However, his stocks in world cricket experienced an exponential rise, when he started the proceedings with the bat for the Men in Blue.
Shastri was quite remarkable in the opening slot and notched up 1101 in 17 Tests at an average of over 40. Also, he featured in 49 ODIs as an opener and plundered 1464 runs at a healthy average. The former Indian cricketer's rise as an opener not only helped him to extend his international career but also gain recognition in the cricketing fraternity as a capable batter.
Shastri represented the Indian team in 80 Tests and 3830 runs at an average of 35.79. On the bowling front, he bagged 151 wickets at an average of 40.96. In the ODIs, the Mumbai-born scored 3108 runs in 150 matches at an average of 36.04 and picked up 129 wickets at an economy of 4.21. The former Indian all-rounder last played for the Men in Blue in December 1992.

<h3>4. Shoaib Malik</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Shoaib-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Shoaib Malik" loading="lazy">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/bpl-2023-shoaib-malik-gets-guard-of-honour-in-his-500th-t20-match/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shoaib Malik</a> burst onto the international scene in 1999, as an off-spinner. However, he was quite dismal with the ball in his starting years, and due to this, the Sialkot-born was not able to cement his position in the team. However, it was in 2002, when Shoaib redefined his credentials as a player and the world take notice of his newly developed skillset.
The right-handed batter was pushed higher up in the batting line-up which gave Shoaib’s international career a new lease of life. He featured in 12 ODIs in 2002 and notched up 369 runs at an average of 41.00. Shoaib’s stature in the international arena grew leaps and bounds in the years to come and he went on to become of the finest cricketers to have played for Pakistan.
Shoaib notched up 7534 runs in 287 ODIs at a strike rate of 81.90 and bagged 158 wickets at an economy of 4.66. He hung his boots from the 50-over format in 2019. The veteran batter has been magnificent in the T20Is as well, racking up 2435 runs in 124 matches at a strike rate of 125.64 and taking 28 scalps for the Men in Green.

<h3>3. Rohit Sharma</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1674303374982_Rohit-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma" loading="lazy">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/ind-vs-sl-rohit-sharma-welcomes-challenging-bowling-conditions-in-1st-odi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> kick-started his international career as a middle-order batter. Though he showed glimpses of brilliance across formats, consistency eluded him and thus, the right-handed batter was not able to become a regular feature in the team. The team management decided to slot him in the opening position during the tour of South Africa in January 2011 but the move did not pay off as he could score only 29 runs in three outings.
Rohit was again entrusted to play the opener’s role in the ODI series against England in January 2013. He knocked the wind out of the opposition’s bowlers and smashed a blistering half-century. The Nagpur-born had a phenomenal run at the opening slot and hammered a total of 1196 runs in 28 ODIs played in 2013 at an average of 52.00.
Rohit continued dismantling bowling attacks with his marauding bat in the years to follow and has emerged as one of the finest opening batters in world cricket. He has plundered 9782 runs in 241 ODIs at an average of 48.91. Talking about the T20Is, the Indian skipper has aggregated 3853 runs in 148 matches at a strike rate of 139.24.

<h3>2. Steve Smith</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1669872424008_Steve-Smith.jpeg" alt="Steve Smith" loading="lazy">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/winning-a-test-series-in-india-is-bigger-than-the-ashes-steve-smith/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith</a> made his Australia debut in 2010 as a leg-spinner. However, he was quite mediocre with his performances and not given a consistent run in the national side. Smith featured in four Tests that year and could bag only three scalps in those outings Though the Sydney-born played handy knocks with the bat slotting in at lower down the order, his inability to ace the spinner’s role worked against him and he was dropped from the side.
Smith’s career took off when he was drafted into the side as a genuine batter. In the third game of the four-match Test series against India in 2013, he was slotted in the middle-order and made an immediate impact, scoring a well-compiled 92 runs. However, the flamboyant cricketer rose to prominence with his exploits in The Ashes 2013, which saw him score 345 runs in five games at an average of 38.33.
Smith continued piling runs for fun in the years to come and has become a lynchpin of the Australian batting line-up. Test cricket has been his happy hunting ground where he has amassed 8647 runs in 92 matches at a magnificent average of 60.89. Coming to the ODIs, the veteran batter has accumulated 4917 runs in 139 games at an average of 45.11.

<h3>1. Sanath Jayasuriya</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1675748692615_Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg" alt="Sanath Jayasuriya" loading="lazy">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/feeling-so-emotional-sanath-jayasuriya-elated-after-sri-lankas-series-win-over-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sanath Jayasuriya</a> broke into the international arena in 1989 and played the role of a bowling all-rounder. However, in the years to come, he showed his power-hitting might on many occasions and took bowling attacks to the cleaners. Witnessing Jayasuriya’s exploits with the bat, the team management decided to slot him at the top of the order.
The move not only changed Sri Lankan cricket but also changed the way how limited-overs cricket was played. In the Wills World Cup 1996, Jayasuriya played a fearless brand of cricket and took the attack to the opposition right from the get-go, providing his side with brisk starts. He smashed 221 runs in six matches at a staggering strike rate of 131.54. The former Sri Lankan cricketer’s magnificent showings were instrumental in the Lankan Lions clinching their maiden world title.
Jayasuriya went on to become one of the greats of the game. He amassed an insane tally of 13430 runs in 445 ODIs at a strike rate of 91.20 and bagged 323 wickets at an economy of 4.78. When it came to the longest format of the game, the Matara-born piled on 6973 runs in 110 games and picked up 98 scalps in those outings. The legendary cricketer retired from Tests in 2007 and from white-ball cricket in 2011.
For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/in/app/crictracker/id6443913175" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IOS App Store</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.crictracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Play Store</a>

World Cricket has witnessed numerous champion batters take the stage and left the world in awe with their magnificent performances. From the likes of Sir Donald Bradman to Sir Vivian Richards to Sachi

Players who restored their careers by batting order change

Certain cricketers were not able to ace the role for which they were handed international debuts, but altering their batting position helped them restore their careers.

5 Players who rejuvenated their careers by changing their batting order

Here we look at five players who rejuvenated their careers by changing their batting order. Click here to know more.