Cricketers start their journey at a young age when they remain relatively unknown but gradually some of them become big figures, carrying their uniqueness and cricketing talent to the biggest stage.
Their dedication, skill, and love for the game captivated audiences for generations. Today, we take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the iconic moments and mesmerizing faces of cricketers that have shaped the game we love.
1) Joe Root
Here is image of Joe Root in his U-19 days. Quite young and baby faced, grew up to become an incredibly successful test player for England.
2) Virat Kohli
The 19-year-old Virat Kohli with U-19 World Cup trophy. The batting maestro always knew how to win and celebrate. From early days, he has all the attributes to become an all time great in future.
3) Kane Williamson
Almost a baby faced Kane Williamson playing for Northern District at the age of 17. What a tremendous player he has become, now leading New Zealand in white ball cricket. As a player and as as a human being, Williamson has become one of most respectable figure in world cricket.
3) Steve Smith
The leggie appealing for a wicket is a young Steve Smith in 2009 playing for his domestic side New South Wales. From a leg spinner batting at number 8 to one of the best test batters of all time, young Smith would have never thought about it.
5) Ricky Ponting
Probably 18-year-old Ricky Ponting smiling for a portrait. Next to one of the greatest captain and leader of all time, leading Australia to two times World Cup victory.
6) AB de Villiers
Who is not a fan of Ab de Villiers! The young AB at the 20 playing for South Africa against England in 2004. It always feels like he should have played more cricket but anyway, how much he played, it was wonderful to watch Mr. Genius bat the way he bats.
7) Kapil Dev
The real cricket inspiration in India Kapil Dev at the age 19 in Lahore to play a test match against the Pakistan. This is quite a mesmerizing image telling what was the attire and attitude of cricketers back in the old days.
8) Aiden Markram
The promising South African batter one of the most talented batters going around in the world at the moment. From young age and under-19 cricket, Markram was one of his kind, showing the early glimpses of a mature and wonderful cricketer.
9) Ian Botham
19-year-old Ian Botham playing for Somerset in 1974. Without doubt, he will go on to become one of the best all-rounders of all time. Ian Botham was a proper human being, never concealed anything, lived life like a larrikin.
10) Sir Vivian Richards
22-year-old Antiguan cricketer Sir Vivian Richards. What could be said about him! He was ahead of his team and there will be best or great cricketers with all stats but there will never never another Viv Richards. That’s for sure.
11) Shane Warne
Age is not confirmed but Shane Warne must be around 19 or 20 here with an infectious smile. He always had this charm about himself that he carried everywhere he went. Often regarded as one of the best cricketers of all time, not because of stats but because the way he played the game.
12) Sunil Gavaskar
22-year-old Sunil Gavaskar during his first UK tour in 1971. Gavaskar scored half-centuries against England at Lord’s and Manchester. Can be dubbed as on his way to establish his legacy in international cricket with an inspiring career.
13) Ben Stokes
Before Ben Stokes was Ben Stokes that we know about. The 19-year-old Durham boy got player of the match award for his all-around match winning performance against India in 2010. Now, Stokes is admired by cricket fans around the world.
14) Marnus Labuschagne
20-year-old Marnus Labuschagne playing for Queensland in 2014. There is never a dull moment when Marnus is on field. Now, he is gradually establishing his name as a complete test player with all key qualities.
15) Brendon McCullum
20-year-old New Zealand batter Brendon McCullum during his first tour of Australia in 2001. McCullum changed the way cricket was played and perceived, his infused aggresivness in all aspects of the game.
16) Jacques Kallis
21-year-old Jacques Kallis during England tour of South Africa in 1995 in Port Elizabeth. The man was absolute flawless in all aspects of the game. Dubbed by every knowlegble cricket fan as best all-rounder of all time for a reason.
17) Rohit Sharma
20-year-old Rohit Sharma grinding at Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2007. The player always had a talent and he went on to become one of the most destructive and class batter of all time in cricket.
18) Babar Azam
18-year-old Babar Azam with Player of the Match medal against Afghanistan at 2012 U-19 World Cup in 2012. Quite young for big stage but Babar was always destined to be a big player. It is rightly said coming events cast their shadows long before and it is evident in Babar’s case.
