Famous cricketers and their personality type - Part 1

The beauty of team sport is that it brings different characters under one roof – each having their own distinct characteristics and idiosyncrasies – that further adds to the sporting spectacle in the middle. The importance of characters is even more vital in a sport such as cricket, which can go on for a length of five days, allowing more time for players to express themselves.

Furthermore, this also makes a case for the coaching staff to assess the personality traits of each player individually. This provides the coaches with not the key insights about the strengths and weaknesses of a player, but also about their motivations and their role-fitment in the team.

One way to identify the personality type of an individual is The Myers and Briggs Type Indicator Test (MBTI). The MBTI is an introspective self-report questionnaire designed to indicate psychological preferences about how people perceive the world and make decisions. Although this technique is regularly used in the corporate world, the MBTI was successfully used as a coaching technique in cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board during the 2013 Ashes, that England won 3-0.

It is believed that this test allowed eleven vastly different England cricketers to gel together into an effective unit. The MBTI also used to be a pathway leading to selection for the England team as well as throughout county circuit; pointing that Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook and James Anderson will all have completed the test when they were youngsters, eyeing a spot in the national squad.

Given the proven effectiveness of the MBTI in cricket, we at SportsKeeda will bring you a series of articles profiling the personality types of well-known cricketers.Note: The personality types of the cricketers have been ascertained by the writer through his understanding of the player's personality. No actual test were conducted with the said cricketers.

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Harbhajan Singh – The adventurer thrillseeker

Personality Type – E (Extraversion), S (Sensing), T (Thinking), P (Perception)

The one striking aspect about ESTPs is their energy levels. ESTPs are a fun-loving lot and will often be seen chatting and joking with friends and strangers alike. They also have an amazing sense of humour; often keeping their surroundings witty, rather than boring and serious. But don’t get fooled by their funny nature; in any crunch situation, ESTPs are the quickest to come out with practical solutions.

Harbhajan Singh is known to be a bundle of energy both on and off the field. When the team morale inside the dressing room, Harbhajan is quick to make a quip, and turn the despondency to instant laughter. According to cricketers, Harbhajan is also the first one to respond with a rational solution to difficult situations.

True to his quick-thinking abilities, Sachin Tendulkar in his biography Playing it my way mentioned that Harbhajan once saved the life of his daughter Sara during the India’s tour to New Zealand in 2002-03.

Shane Warne – The vivacious entertainer

Personality Type – E (Extraversion), S (Sensing), F (Feeling), P (Perception)

ESFPs are gregarious individuals who prefer to live to the fullest. They like to be the center of attention, often being considered the life of a party. They also often enjoy dressing in vibrant and dazzling colours.

Given their open and playful nature, they will take the lead to get people involved in any fun activity. ESFPs also hate staying idle for too long; often involving themselves in hobbies involving a large number of friends. But even after being hardcore extroverts, ESFPs don’t enjoy opening up about serious or negative things.

Famous for hoodwinking the batsmen with the ball on the field, Shane Warne was an equally interesting man off it too. He is known to have an ostentatious lifestyle; he owns a mansion in Brighton, has had multiple affairs, and is a keen poker enthusiast. Since quitting cricket, Warne has kept himself busy endorsing various brands, appearing on television shows, and doing cricket commentary.

Adam Gilchrist – The people-centred creators

Personality Type – E (Extraversion), N (Intuitive), F (Feeling), P (Perception)

ENFPs are filled with ideas that seek to bring out the hidden potential in other people. They are warm and compassionate people who use their mastery of language, often loaded with wit and humour – to understand people around them better.

ENFPs believe in the pursuit of happiness, both for themselves and others and often prize the uniqueness of every individual. An ENFP would never judge anyone’s dream, but rather listen to them with their full attentions, also sharing their own aspirations with them.

Adam Gilchrist is probably one of the most likable characters of all time in cricket. Gilchrist is an amazing ambassador for the game with his down to earth, and amiable personality. Although his captaincy stints for Australia were short, he always set his sight on bringing the best out of his players whenever he took charge, making them realize their highest potential.

His fine people skills were on display in the IPL – first for Deccan Chargers and later for Kings XI Punjab – where his compassionate leadership helped the youngsters excel at the international stage.

Anil Kumble – The analytical problem-solvers

Personality Type – I (Introversion), N (Intuitive), F (Feeling), J (Judgement)

INFJs are led by their personal values and are people of high integrity. Although they have a quiet demeanor, they trust their ability to read other people and help them to realize their potential and hence are also called the Counselors.

INFJ also seem to appear gentle and reserved from outside, but often are more complex than that, and can surprise with their intensity if their values are questioned.

India’s head coach Anil Kumble has always been considered a man possessing strong values and someone who would put integrity over anything else. Although reticent by nature, Kumble is making great strides as India’s coach given his ability to galvanize the team by bringing the best out of each player.

Rahul Dravid – The responsible organizer

Personality Type – I (Introversion), S (Sensing), T (Thinking), J (Judgement)

ISTJs are traditionalists who prefer order over chaos. They are extremely neat and tidy, often staying methodical in dealing with everyday situations. Often considered persistent hard-workers, ISTJs rely on past experience to solve a problem and prefer steering clear of novel ideas.

They also have a serious, no-nonsense air about them, and steadfastly go about work without calling attention to themselves. Even their clothing style is based on utility, rather than fashion.

Rahul Dravid was probably the last classical batsman in modern day cricket. Widely renowned for his pitch-perfect batting technique, and a rigorous work ethic, Dravid makes a perfect ISTJ. In his playing days, Dravid was a highly dependable cricketer who followed through every task given to him by his team.

And just like all ISTJs, Dravid doesn’t like a fancy lifestyle. His wife, Vijeeta, once quoted that Dravid carried only two sets of informal clothes on tours, and hardly cared about gadgets, cars, and colognes, but if the weight of his bat comes off by a gram, he would notice it.