Famous cricketers and their personality type - Part 2

In part two of the series famous cricketers and their personality types, we try to analyze the personality of some of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game.

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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Kevin Pietersen – The Imaginative Idealist

Personality Type – I (Introversion) N (Intuitive) F (Feeling) P (Perception)

What comes to your mind when you hear the name Kevin Pietersen? Audacious? Arrogant? Ostentatious, maybe? Hold on a second, what if I told you Pietersen is an introvert?

Kevin Pietersen is surely considered a showman on the field. But according to his own admission, Pietersen is a self-absorbed individual, something that is contrary to his personality on the field. In his autobiography, Pietersen claimed that he is an instinctive introversion, just like an INFP according to the Myer-Briggs Test.

INFPs are highly growth oriented people, who seek an ideal world for themselves and those around them. They are also highly passionate in whatever they do, and are considered the most creative among all personality types, seeking unconventional ways to execute a task. Pietersen’s energy on the field has always displayed his passion for the game. He’s also been highly innovative with his batting, trying out offbeat shots, and also has the invention of the famous switch-hit under his name.

Michael Hussey – The Conscientious Helper

Personality Type – E (Extraversion) S (Sensing) F (Feeling) J (Judgement)

Michael Hussey not only achieved amazing heights on the field while playing, he also commanded great respect from team-mates, opponents and spectators alike. Hussey is also known to be a strong loyalist and someone who prioritizes his family and friends. According to his team-mates in Australia and later at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Mr. Cricket as he is popularly known is an extremely helpful person, who will go out of his way to mentor youngsters. An ESFJ thrives on living by their moral code. They are also very generous with their time, effort and emotions, just like Hussey. ESFJs are also considered very punctual, neat, responsible, and highly productive, with a great concern for others. During his playing days, Hussey was known to take keen interest in his batting technique, making sure to rectify the minutest of flaws, whenever he found one.

Ricky Ponting – The Hardworking Traditionalist

Personality Type – E (Extraversion) S (Sensing) T (Thinking) J (Judgement)

Ricky Ponting once quoted in one of his interviews “I always tried to think about being a leader, no matter where I was at.” This was the kind of person he was – always keen to take charge and impose himself on others. Similarly, ESTJs are a highly confident and tough-minded lot who prefer to take control of a situation, just like the former Australian skipper. ESTJs also are strong believers of structure and prefer to lay down ground rules and make sure everyone does what they are supposed to. Over the years, Ponting has always maintained a stance that he is a traditionalist in the way he led his side on the field.

Also, Ponting has always been an extrovert and has been keen on social events like gambling since his younger days. Similarly, an ESTJ will often involved themselves in institutions where they prefer to take the leadership role.

Sachin Tendulkar – The Committed Nurturer

Personality Type – I (Introversion) S (Sensing) F (Feeling) J (Judgement)

Despite the humongous stardom he has achieved, Sachin Tendulkar has always been considered a humble and unassuming individual by those who know him personally. He’s also a loyalist, whether it’s choosing a certain brand of clothes, or playing for an IPL team. In his playing days, he was a fiercely committed player, who would practice by going out of the way if the situation demanded, as was the case in 1998, when he asked Laxman Shivaramakrishnan to bowl to him around the wicket, replicating Shane Warne. Sachin is also an extremely responsible person, who believed in his ability to win games single-handedly for his country, which he displayed on countless occasions in the 90s and 2000s.

Just like Sachin, ISFJs are well-grounded people who are also compassionate towards to needs of those around them. ISFJs prefer in fulfilling their duties and want others to know that their abilities can be trusted. And just how Tendulkar is known to be meticulous with minute details like the weight of his bat, ISFJs are considered extremely methodical and well-aware of their surroundings, and will persist until the job has been done in the right manner.

Virat Kohli – The Energetic Thrillseeker

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

Virat Kohli performs his best when he is put on fire, metaphorically of course. He possesses dynamic energy and puts it on display whenever he comes out to bat or field. And it’s not just on the field that he is full of vigour, Kohli’s is known to have a playful nature, often making him the life of a party with his dance moves and open nature. His dressing sense is considered extremely stylish, and he is extremely keen on the latest gadgets, cars and watches.

One key trait the makes Kohli a true ESTP is that ESTPs are natural athletes. ESTPs use their physical ability in their pursuit of excitement and adventure, and they often enjoy putting their skills to the test in risky or even dangerous activities. ESTPs are also unabashedly gregarious and are known to amuse those around them with quick-witted sense of humour. And just like Kohli, every ESTP is attracted to new ideas, new fashions, new gadgets etc.