12 Cricketers who follow simple lifestyles

Apart from their remarkable capabilities on the field, most of the cricketers all around the world are known for their riches. They live rich lifestyles which make the common people envy them. They own sprawling bungalows, high-end vehicles while controversy also follows them at the same pace. High-profile relationships and Page 3 parties are very common rituals for some colorful cricketing personalities. But, money and materialistic wants doesn’t change every cricketer. Some tend to stay away from lavish lifestyles and prefer to live a sober life. Fans may like to follow the flamboyant ones, but these gentlemen are the equally good role models for life. Here are the 12 Cricketers who follow simple lifestyles: 1. Rahul Dravid: (© Getty Images) Rahul Dravid defines simplicity. The soft-spoken cricketer over the years proved himself a gentleman both on the field and off the field. He is a family man who lives a simple life. In his wife Vijeta’ words, he never cares about cars, watches, colognes or clothes. Even, the fans who have met him know him as a humble person. According to an interesting fan story- “Saw a ‘Santro’ outside the gas agency. Out walked Mr and Mrs Dravid and came inside to apply for a gas connection. Both completed the formalities like any common people. Dravid obliged the people who were present with a few pictures and walked out.” Also Read – 14 Gentlemen of the game – Cricketers loved all over the Globe 2. Muttiah Muralitharan: Muttiah Muralitharan. (© WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) With an infectious smile and cool clinical temperament, Muthiah Muralitharan is one of the better human beings you will come across. Murali is a cricketing giant and has a mountain of wickets to his name. But all his achievements and fame has not affected him in any way. Son of a confectioner, he grew up in Kandy and studied in an independent school run by Benedictine monks. Such humble up-bring might be a sole reason for his kind nature and modest lifestyle. Murali is also known for his humanitarian side and donates hearty sums to orphanages and other causes regularly. 3. VVS Laxman: VVS Laxman. (© Hindustan Times via Getty Images) VVS Laxman was a stylish batsman but off the field, he leads a very simple life. Laxman belongs to a family comprising entirely of doctors and as a teen, he had to make a tough choice of choosing cricket over his family profession. Laxman is a strict vegetarian and very philosophical by nature; book reading being his favorite pastime. He is not known to be involved in any defaming controversies and doesn’t like unnecessary limelight hovering around him. 4. Matthew Hayden: Matthew Hayden. (© Getty Images) Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden also lives away from the flashing cameras. The destructive Aussie opener, after retirement, spends most of his time following his hobbies which are cooking and fishing. He lives a simple and active lifestyle. He has been part of many cookery shows and is often found cooking himself. Haydos, is also very active on Twitter and regularly shares picture of self-made delicacies. Apart from this, he spends his time fishing and is the ambassador for the Annual Million Dollar Fish competition in Australia. 5. Jacques Kallis: Jacques Kallis. (Photo Source: Associated Press) Jacques Kallis is arguably one of the best modern day all-rounder’s. Kallis is a simple man who believes in living a modest lifestyle. Many teammates agree that Kallis’ calm demeanour was a great influence on them. He has various brand endorsements and attracts handsome bids in T20 leagues. However, these things don’t go through his mind. Instead, he stays away from the spotlight and leads a normal life. Jacques Kallis runs a foundation with an aim to sponsor learners from disadvantaged backgrounds by offering them the opportunity to attend one of four established cricket schools. 6. Stephen Fleming: Stephen Fleming. (© Getty Images) Stephen Fleming was graceful and sophisticated as a batsman. A sound strategist with tactical nous. Fleming tours different places, but those are mostly for cricketing commitment. His life is a reflection of how a cricketer has managed to keep a sense of originality about him despite being famous. He is not known as someone who lives an outrageous life and sets a perfect example for the younger generations. 7. Shivnarine Chanderpaul: Shivnarine Chanderpaul. (© Getty Images) In a team full of players who love to enjoy themselves and indulge in leisurely activities, Shivnarine Chanderpaul is a difference. Windies cricketers are colorful, happy-go-lucky and like attention (e.g breaking into gigs on the field). However, Chanderpaul is calm, his persona is very lovable and is always focused on the game. He comes from a humble background, being born in a fishing village on the north-east coast of Guyana aptly named Unity village, whose ethnic mix comprises a population of East Indian and African descent. These gentle attributes must have been infused during his childhood. He never had any heroes or role models except his family. Which is why he has always been a family man. Chanderpaul is a single-minded individual who always knew the responsibilities of being a public personality. 8. Alastair Cook: Alastair Cook. (© Getty Images) Alastair Cook is a true meaning of an orthodox English gentleman. Being outspoken is not his style and always speaks sense whenever he decides to. His batting style and personal attributes prompted many to mark him as the future captain of England when he made his debut. Warmth and easygoing lifestyle are synonymous to him. He always opts to speak when required and maintenance distance from controversies. 9. Mohammad Yousuf: Mohammad Yousuf. (© Getty Images) Mohammad Yousuf is one the few Christians to have played cricket for Pakistan. He later converted to Islam and has been following it religiously since. He doesn’t like to be flashy at all despite all the attention from the media and fans. He knows what’s right and what’s wrong. He is a religious Muslim and has also reportedly played Test cricket for Pakistan throughout the month of Ramadan maintaining fasts. 10. Hashim Amla: Hashim Amla. (Photo Source: AFP) Hashim Amla is not known to lead an extravagant life. He is calm and is known to be one of the best ambassadors of the game. His on-field and off-field personalities differ vastly from each other. On the field, he is stylish as a batsman with his wristy flicks and drives but, once away from the ground he lives a simple life. He follows Islam strictly and his beliefs are strong. Amla became the first player to be the exception who was granted permission by Cricket South Africa not to wear the Castle logos on his clothing. 11. Moeen Ali: Moeen Ali. (Photo Source: AFP) Moeen Ali, the Pakistan heritage English cricketer, is yet another player of the Hashim Amla mould and is a true follower of Islam. Moeen, who belongs to a simple working class family, has an untarnished reputation in the media and is hardly seen in altercations with other players. It is needless to say that even arch-rivals Australia hardly target him and leave him alone in terms of sledging. He also avoids alcohol. One such incident being the Ashes triumph, where the whole team was celebrating with beers in hands while Ali was photographed enjoying the victory with a soft drink in his hand. 12. Mahela Jayawardene: Mahela Jayawardene. (© Getty Images) Mahela is a thinking man’s cricketer. He chooses not to give away much when confronted by the journalists with the notebooks and tape recorders in their hands. Mahela owns a small restaurant apart from playing cricket and spends very decent lifestyle. Mahela has been a good ambassador of Sri Lankan. One after a Test win in New Zealand in 2006. A youngster went out of the limits during celebrations. Watching this, he made the youngster sit with him and gave him a stern lesson on being a good ambassador for the country. Also Read – 10 Cricketers with most haters