The much-awaited event at Rio winded up with the United States of America walking away with the highest medals tally and India ending it with a silver and bronze. Cricket, which is more of a religion for some, was sadly not a part of the Olympics. As from all over the world, athletes enthralled the audiences with their best efforts to secure a medal for their country, we wondered what would it be like to have cricketers participate in the Olympics. Not as cricketers but some other sport that they would be best at.
In the gentleman's game, the players have bowled us over, time and again, with their magnificent strokes, awestruck bowling and mind boggling fielding capabilities. What if they would have used their other talents and if they would have landed at the Olympics, taking part and representing their country?
Let’s take a look what our beloved cricketers could have taken up to be a part of Olympics and who knows, maybe, they would have secured a medal for their country as well.
#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 100m sprint
With the way the Indian skipper runs between the wickets in a blink of an eye, no wonder he could have been a part of the 100m dash at the Olympics. Captain cool would have stolen the show with the famous finishing act by completing the sprint in record time making India proud as always.
Commentators with excited voices would have screamed his name out after the much-awaited win which isn’t unusual, just that the statement would have had a few changes like, “Mahendra Singh Dhoni finishes off with a magnificent six, I mean, a magnificent dip at the line.” The cheers would have been the same, though, even if he would not be able to beat Usain Bolt.
His upcoming biographical movie would have looked a little different and Sushant Singh Rajput would have had to master the skills of running rather than the helicopter shot.
#2 Lasith Malinga – Javelin
One of the most flamboyant cricketers of Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga could have easily secured a medal for his country in the javelin competition at the Olympics. ‘Slinga Malinga’ can easily be imagined with a javelin instead of the cricket ball with his unusual strong arm slinging action which just cannot fail.
The bleached hair, eyebrow pierced, tattooed javelin athlete would have made some news. Maybe, he would have been one of the stars of the Olympics along with Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, also, one of the most talked about athletes.
“Lasith Malinga, showed off his flawless talent in Javelin, which very much looked like as easy as pie for the player, winning the Gold for Sri Lanka.”
#3 Ishant Sharma – Basketball
With the height of 6 feet 4 inches, putting the ball in the basket wouldn’t have been much of an issue for Ishant Sharma. He is the best choice for the Indian basketball team at the Olympics. And, his national level basketball player fiance, Pratima Singh, could have just nurtured his skills, making the lanky cricketer the best basketball player for the men’s team.
Apart from his height, Ishant being a decent pacer for India, would be great on the fast-breaks on the basketball court. He might not be as bulky and as strong as some of the other centers in basketball but the Indian bowler certainly would be able to distract other basketball players and lead the Indian side to a few more points.
Hopefully, with a few good performances on the court, the trolling of Ishant Sharma, would stop. Maybe Ishant can think of a career switch, in case he does fall out of favour from the Indian cricket side.
#4 Chris Gayle – Boxing
One of the most powerful batsmen of the West Indies, Chris Gayle could have entered the ring to treat his opponent with some punches. The strong and powerful Gayle would have wiped off his opponents just like the way he does it on the cricket field.
Gayle’s hidden talent of bruising eyes and punching people down with those heavy arms of his will be out in open for good.
Making the media go gaga over the storming win of the 98 kg boxer who knocked his opponent down with not much difficulty securing the Gold medal for the West Indies, at the Olympics.
#5 Jonty Rhodes – Shooting
The former South African cricketer could have tried his luck at shooting. The kind of direct run outs he had completed with an incredible aim, it certainly suggests the amazing hand-eye coordination from the South African could have led his country to a few Olympic medals in the range of shooting events.
Rhodes, being such a talented fielder, could have even taken part in the gymnastic events thanks to his flexibility but his aim certainly makes him a better prospect for medals with the pistol or rifle than with the vaults.
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