In a general sense, a doppelganger is used to describe any person who physically or behaviorally resembles another person. There are times when a certain individual gains fame and recognition only due to the fact that he resembles a famous personality.
In the world of football, Jamie Vardy has an uncanny look-a-like in the form of an individual named Lee Chapman. Chapman was even invited to the team bus during Leicester’s City’s victory parade when they won the Barclays Premier League title last year.
Just like Jamie Vardy, there are many famous cricketers who have doppelgangers as well. While most of their doppelgangers are other famous celebrities, there are a few cases where the look-a-like of the cricketer has gone on to become famous due to his resemblance to the cricketer.
Let's take a look at the top 10 cricketers and their doppelgangers. Some of these will surely make your jaws drop!
Note: This list is not based on the playing ability of the cricketers.
#10 Dale Steyn and Daniel Craig
Dale Steyn has his doppelganger in the form of the current James Bond – Daniel Craig. Both Steyn the cricketer and Craig’s James Bond avatar made their debut around the same time. While Steyn made his ODI debut in 2005, Craig’s first movie as James Bond (Casino Royale) came out in 2006.
There was even a rumour which came about a few years ago regarding Steyn being considered to play the next James Bond, after Craig. The rumour was soon dismissed.
Steyn is by far the best fast bowler to come out of the South African ranks. Extreme pace, the ability to swing the ball both ways and pinpoint accuracy have made him the country's best ever.
Craig is currently the most famous British actor, most widely known for his role as James Bond.
#9 Ian Bell and Stan Wawrinka
England batsman Ian Bell and three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka look quite similar to each other.
While Wawrinka turned pro in the year 2002, Bell made his debut for England in 2004 against the West Indies in a Test match. The Englishman hasn't been performing too well recently, which resulted in him being dropped from the national side in 2015.
On the other hand, Wawrinka continues to surprise and impress us with his “Stanimalistic” performances – his most recent one being his US Open victory earlier this month. By winning that title, he has now won three Grand Slams in the last three years. The only Major left for him to win is Wimbledon.
#8 Nasser Hussain and Vladimir Putin
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has quite an interesting look-a-like in the form of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hussain captained the England Test and ODI side from 1999-2003 and while he enjoyed reasonable success, there were certain low points in his career which led to a change in leadership after the 2003 World Cup. He is currently a cricket commentator and his autobiography “Playing With Fire” won the “Best Autobiography” award at the 2005 British Sports Book Awards.
Putin has been the President of the Russian Federation since 2012. He is one of the most influential and powerful people in the world. In 2015, he was #1 on the Time's Most Influential People List. In 2013, 2014, and 2015, he was ranked first on the Forbes List of The World's Most Powerful People.
#7 Alastair Cook and Henry Cavill
DC Comics’ Superman – Henry Cavill has a doppelganger in the form of current England Test captain and Superman Alastair Cook.
Cook, who has been in superb form over the past few years, has broken numerous records and is currently one of the best batsmen in the world. He was the youngest cricketer ever to reach 7,000 runs and is currently England’s leading Test century-maker as well.
Henry Cavill has made his mark in the world of Hollywood, and in DC’s cinematic universe in particular by playing the role of Superman in two movies so far. He has renewed his contract for the upcoming Justice League movies as well.
#6 Brad Hodge and Mark Ruffalo
Another Superhero makes this list and this time, it's Marvel’s “Hulk” – Mark Ruffalo. His doppelganger is none other than Australia’s Brad Hodge.
Hodge is one of those unlucky cricketers who did not get a lot of chances to represent his nation, despite his spectacular domestic form. This was probably due to the fact that he played during Australia’s “Golden” era of the late 90s and early 2000s when merely getting selected in the national team was considered a huge accomplishment.
Hodge holds the record for the most number of runs scored and the most centuries as well in Australia’s domestic ODI cricket.
Mark Ruffalo is one of the best actors in modern Hollywood and has acted in many hit films. He was nominated for an Oscar in the category of “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in the Oscar-winning movie “Spotlight.” He is also a part of the extended Marvel cinematic universe playing the role of Dr. Bruce Banner, better known as the “Hulk.”
#5 Matt Prior and Jason Statham
While Matt Prior has been “transported” out of the England team after retiring in June 2015, he has a keen resemblance to the “Bad boy” and “Transporter” of Hollywood – Jason Statham.
Prior was a wicket-keeper batsman for the England cricket and enjoyed reasonable success in Test matches, scoring over 4,000 runs. His aggressive style of batting led to him opening the innings on a number of occasions in ODIs for England. He retired last year due to a recurring Achilles tendon injury.
Jason Statham is a famous actor in Hollywood, most notably known for his role in the popular movie franchise "Transporter."
#4 Ishant Sharma and Bryan Ruiz
Current Indian spearhead has an uncanny resemblance to Costa Rica’s football team captain Bryan Ruiz.
Ishant, who has enjoyed a lot of success leading the bowling for India in Test matches the past few years, is currently undergoing treatment for chikungunya – a disease which has ruled him out of India’s historic 500th test match against New Zealand. Ishant has taken 209 wickets in Tests and 115 wickets in ODIs so far.
Bryan Ruiz has played 86 games for the national side and scored 20 goals. He also plays for the Portuguese club Sporting CP. He enjoyed a lot of success with English club Fulham from 2011-2015.
#3 Virender Sehwag and Jeevan Sharma
Former Indian batsman, and current King of Twitter, Virender Sehwag has the ultimate doppelganger in Jeevan Sharma.
Sehwag was an extremely aggressive batsman and has many records to his name, including the highest individual score in a Test match by an Indian (319). He is also one of just three cricketers ever to score two triple centuries in Tests, and one of five to score a double century in ODIs.
Jeevan Sharma is a tailor by profession who ventured into politics in the year 2009 in the Delhi assembly polls. Jeevan has also been used as a “double” of Sehwag in a few advertisements.
#2 Herschelle Gibbs and Pitbull
Herschelle Gibbs, the former South African batsman, and “Mr. Worldwide” Pitbull look eerily similar to each other.
Gibbs was known for his aggression with the bat and his brilliant fielding as well. He has played over 300 matches for South Africa in total, with a healthy average in both Tests and ODIs. He is best known for his incredible knock of 175 in the classic ODI between Australia and South Africa where the latter chased down a total of 434, thus making it the highest successful ODI run chase till date.
Armando Christian Perez, a.k.a Pitbull is an American rapper by profession and has partnered with many internationally acclaimed pop stars to produce hit songs – some of which have gone on to become Number 1 chartbusters in many countries for a long period of time.
#1 Sachin Tendulkar and Balvir Chand
The God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar has the ultimate look-alike in Balvir Chand.
Tendulkar is a man who needs no introduction. He is arguably the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) of cricket, with only Sir Donald Bradman giving him competition for the title.
Having played international cricket for over 20 years, Tendulkar is the batsman with the most number of runs in Test and ODI cricket. He also holds the record of being the only player to score 100 international centuries, and he was the first batsman to score an ODI double hundred as well. He is widely considered as the God of Indian cricket.
Balvir Chand has made a career out of being a look-a-like of Sachin. Chand was a body double for Tendulkar in advertisements for brands such as MRF, Toshiba, Reynolds and TVS, which the cricketer endorsed.
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