Fitness has become a crucial part of modern cricket, with players expected to be in top physical condition to succeed on the international stage. In countries like India, fitness tests like the Yo-Yo test are mandatory, ensuring only the fittest players make it to the national team. However, over the years, some players with serious fitness issues have still made a name for themselves in world cricket. Their physical limitations didn’t stop them from achieving success, but they would have struggled to meet the strict fitness standards of today, especially in countries like India.
Let’s take a look at five cricketers who, despite their lack of fitness, still made an impact in the cricketing world.
1. Azam Khan – Pakistan’s Heavy Hitter Who Struggled With Fitness
Azam Khan, the son of Pakistan’s legendary wicketkeeper Moin Khan, is known for his powerful sixes and explosive batting style. Despite his potential as a dangerous batsman, fitness has been a significant issue throughout his career. Azam’s weight and sluggish movement, especially as a wicketkeeper, have made him a target for trolls on social media.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has faced criticism for selecting him in key matches despite his fitness struggles. As a wicketkeeper, quick reflexes and agility are essential, but Azam often falls short in these areas. It’s hard to imagine him cutting a team like India, where the fitness bar is set high. His inconsistent performance and slow movement often lead to missed opportunities, but his ability to hit massive sixes keeps him in the spotlight.
2. Jesse Ryder – A Hard-Hitting Kiwi Cricketer with Weight Issues
New Zealand’s Jesse Ryder was another cricketer with immense potential, but fitness issues overshadowed his career. Known for his aggressive batting, Ryder’s fitness struggles, particularly with weight, hampered his consistency. Weighing around 100 kg, he often battled injuries and lacked the stamina required for long formats of the game.
Despite his talent, Ryder’s lack of fitness and discipline prevented him from realizing his full potential. He had the skills to become one of New Zealand’s greatest, but his struggles with fitness held him back. If he were part of a system like India’s, where fitness tests are strict, Ryder may not have made it past the selection process.
3. Rahkeem Cornwall – A Giant With Skill, But Limited By Fitness
Rahkeem Cornwall, the 6’5” tall all-rounder from the West Indies, weighs an astonishing 137 kg, making him one of the heaviest cricketers ever. Despite his bulky frame, Cornwall has impressed with his spin bowling and lower-order batting. However, his fitness has often been questioned, as his large build severely limits his endurance and mobility.
During one Test match, Cornwall’s inability to bowl more than a couple of overs due to extreme heat left the West Indies short of options. He’s a talented cricketer, but his weight and lack of fitness mean that he is often a liability in the field. In a country like India, where fitness is a top priority, Cornwall would have struggled to keep his place in the team.
4. Inzamam-ul-Haq – Pakistan’s Legend with Fitness Woes
Inzamam-ul-Haq is one of Pakistan’s greatest cricketers, with an illustrious career spanning over a decade. However, despite his success, Inzamam was often criticized for his fitness, especially his running between the wickets. His weight fluctuated throughout his career, and at times he weighed over 100 kg, which led to several comical and frustrating run-outs.
Despite these fitness issues, Inzamam’s batting was phenomenal, and his ability to score runs in tough situations made him a legend of the game. He amassed 8,830 runs in Test cricket at an average of 49.33 and 11,739 runs in ODIs. Inzamam’s lack of fitness would likely have disqualified him from playing in today’s fitness-conscious era, especially in India, where the standards are stringent. Yet, his sheer talent kept him in the game, making him a true cricketing icon.
5. Arjuna Ranatunga – Sri Lanka’s World Cup Winning Captain
Arjuna Ranatunga led Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup win in 1996. Known for his cricketing brain and leadership skills, Ranatunga was also infamous for his poor fitness. Weighing over 100 kg during his playing days, he was one of the heaviest cricketers to ever grace the field. Despite his lack of speed and agility, Ranatunga’s smart captaincy and reliable middle-order batting made him one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers.
Ranatunga’s running between the wickets was often a point of humor, as he struggled to complete singles and doubles. However, his leadership and ability to guide his team to victory overshadowed his fitness issues. In today’s cricket, particularly in India, where players are expected to be in peak physical condition, Ranatunga’s fitness might have kept him from playing at the international level.
These five cricketers may have struggled with fitness, but their talent and cricketing ability allowed them to make a mark on the international stage. In the modern era of cricket, where fitness is as important as skill, it’s unlikely that players with such fitness challenges would get the same opportunities. Nonetheless, their contributions to the game remain unforgettable, proving that even unfit players can achieve greatness in cricket.
