Is there any cricketer who started his career as a batsman but ended as a bowler or vice-versa?

 Category- 1 : Started as a Batsman, ended being a Bowler (Few)

1. Ravi Ashwin would be the Best example- Started as an Opening Batsman, but is (was rather) Dhoni’s Go-to man and India’s strike Bowler.

2. Shahid Afridi who made a world record for the fastest century is now remembered more for his faster ones :P

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3. Ravindra Jadeja- It would be gross injustice to exclude Sir Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja from the List, who holds an enviable record of scoring 3 Triple Centuries in First Class Cricket. In the process he equalled Sir Don Bradman’s Tally and became the first Indian to do so (Something which even Dravid, Gavaskar and Sachin failed to do), That too at an age of just abt 23 :O

However, of late he has struggled with the bat (and has ended up being the butt of the SIR Jokes) and plays in d team as a Bowling All rounder. In the South Africa Series, his role was dat of a specialist Spinner.

Category- 2: Started as a Bowler, ended being a Batsman

1. Steve Smith- who would have believed that a Baby faced leg spinner with Warnesque action would go on to become the No.1 test Batsman in the world and equal Bradman for centuries in 4 consecutive tests. Add captaining Australia and scoring 3 centuries in first 3 matches.

2. Mark Richardson- started his career as a Left Arm Spinner, batting at No. 10 but went on to open in Tests for New Zealand.

3. Shoaib Malik- An off spinner with a Saqlain like action turned into a reliable batsman for Pakistan.

4. Scott Styris- Started his career as Medium Fast bowler and his Maiden ODI wicket was that of Sachin himself. Slowly he turned into a reliable Middle order Batsman.

Then, there are other contenders like Jayasuriya, Shane Watson, James Franklin, Cameron White for the 2nd Category

Who is the most underrated international cricketer?

 Most of the Answers here mention Batsmen.

I Wish To Differ

My Pick is Indian Fast Bowler JAVAGAL SRINATH

WHY HIM???

First Let us Have a look at his Statistics

NOW REASONS

• Highest Wickets by an Indian Fast Bowler in ODI
• Highest Wicket taker for India in World Cup Cricket
• Could bowl consistently with speeds even touching 150 kmph
• 2nd fastest Indian Fast Bowler to 200 Test Wickets
• Average is the 3rd best among all bowlers taking more than 100 Wickets for India
• Had one of the best strike rates as an Indian bowler
• Most 5 wicket hauls for India in ODI
• Bowled a delivery at 154.5 kmph(fastest ever recorded by an Indian)
• 11th on the list of all time highest wicket takers in ODI and 2nd Indian on that list
• Gentleman of a person

CAREER DEFINING MOMENTS

• Demolishing South Africa

In 1996 South Africa were favourites to win requiring just 170 of the Fourth Innings in Ahemedabad. Javagal picked up 6 wickets for just 21 Runs and won India home. Who would have thought a fast bowler in the Fourth Innings on an Indian pitch could be so lethal?

• Did they Pull that Off??

In 1996 vs Australia in the Titan Cup. 216 was the target given to India.India were reduced to 164/8 requiring 52 in 8 overs.He saw India home with 30 runs from 23 balls with Anil Kumble scoring 16.India went on to lift the Titan Cup beating South Africa in the Finals.Such unlikely victories boost your morale,don’t they?

• Rattling the Top Order

Singer Cup ODI of 1996 and the target for Sri Lanka was a meager 200. Sri Lanka were reduced to 23/4 and Srinath picked up 4 for 35.India won by 12 runs.He once again proved to be an asset for India.

• South Africa Again???

2nd Test match of 2001.India had lost the previous one.A six wicket haul for 76 saw India to a good start but the batsmen could not capitalize and the match was drawn.

and many more….

WHY DO I FEEL HE IS UNDERRATED AND WHY HE SHOULDN’T BE

• Never been looked as an Iconic Player of the 90’s (Most People preferred Batsmen over Bowlers)
• Played for India at a time where he did not have quality bowling partners
• Let us name the top 15 highest wicket takers in ODI

(M.Muralitharan,W.Akram ,W.Younis , C.Vass,S.Afridi ,S.Pollock, G.McGrath,B Lee,A Kumble,S Jayasuriya , J.Srinath ,D.Vettori , L.Malinga ,S Warne,S.Mushtaq)

My Point is how relatively well known the others are?

He is a Pure Gentleman of the game.How many Fast Bowlers would you put into this category?

He has been serving as a ICC Match Referee currently

He should be given the Appreciation he widely deserves.

Image Credits: Bing

Which cricketer's downfall hurts you the most?

 He played some very important knocks specially when the squad was in trouble phase (two of which are Ind vs Aus , WC quarter final and Ind vs Pak, WC Semifinal, 2011). Yet he haven't received credit for it.

He fielded like a leapord and was one among the top fielders of India in his time.

He even bowled at times when team needed it.

He tried to give his best on and off the field.

A lively man with fun loving heart

Doesn't matter at which part of the ground he is fielding, he will always be there to celebrate the wickets with fellas.

He was way apart from controversies and have set an example for youngsters that abusing on national television doesn't offer you a tag of coolness.

A perfect epitome ofsportsmanship. If Cricket is a Gentlemen's game, then Suresh Raina is the true Gentleman.

A soft hearted man helping the needies through his Gracia Raina Foundation

He haven't received a bucket of awards or recognition (like ICC best player award) but he managed to find a place in the heart of Indian cricket fans

At time when wickets were down and team was in trouble, the mind said we lost, but the heart replied Raina Haina 💓 ( Raina is there)

Unfortunately, he is out of the team at the moment and struggling to find a place in the playing 11 of India . Let’s Hope to see him hitting out of the park very soon

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