If cricketers were in armed forces...

We live in an age where winning a cricket match is deemed as a nation’s dominance over the other. We’ve seen the tear drops that rolled over the cheeks of Alastair Cook after regaining the Ashes urn, and they signify nothing but the intensity at which cricket is played between England and Australia. The jingoism of the people of cricket fanatic countries like India and Pakistan exudes out whenever their cricket teams compete for supremacy. No wonder these people worship their indigenous cricketers as supernatural beings.Such patriotism can also be observed during the time of a war and one can also notice a plethora of other interesting similarities between the 22 yards and a battlefield. Terms such as ‘aggression’, ‘leadership’, ‘attack' and ‘defense’ go hand in hand with both cricket and warfare. Both jobs require extreme body fitness and pressure handling abilities.So what if the modern day cricketers were members of the armed forces of a country? What and all roles and duties could be assigned to them according to their physical and mental skills that they showcase on the cricket field? A humble effort is made here, just for the sake of fun and entertainment.

#1 Mitchell Starc - Commando (Army-land)

Commando Starc

Mitchell Starc is synonymous with toe-crushing Yorkers. His deliveries are bullet paced and precise. There’s little the batsman can do if Starc gets it right in the block hole. There’s no better sight than watching those swinging balls beating the willow and cartwheeling the stumps.

His long and muscular arms aid him in generating brisk pace even with a short run-up. Endow him with a few hand grenades and bombs and he will hurl them at the opposition at pinpoint precision. Equip him with assault rifles and revolvers. His powerful arms will handle them with ease and will gun down the enemies one by one.

His inherent aggression and relentless fighting spirit will make him a tough customer on the battlefield.

#2 Joe Root - Border Security Guard

Border Security Gaurd Root

If a cricketer can guard the borders and defend the nation from invaders and marauders, who else, other than the no. 1 Test batsman! Even the best bowlers in the world struggle to breach the defenses of this solid Test player. Root is extremely vigilant and patient and also has the ability to stay there at the crease for longer periods without losing concentration.

Root will let good balls sail to the keeper’s gloves whereas he defend the ones that pose a threat to the castle. He also gives severe treatment to occasional bad balls, keeping the scoreboard alive. That’s one skill needed for a security guard. To discern imposters from the genuine ones.

Resilient against both spin and pace, he won’t be having many problems in protecting the peripheries from sudden and unanticipated attacks.

#3 Brendon McCullum - Rapid Reaction Force

McCullum force

If Joe Root is an icon of defense, Brendon McCullum is a token of impatience. And that’s the foremost quality needed to be a part of the Rapid Reaction Force. The role of this unit of the armed forces is to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises.

Usually, they don’t get much time to plan and organize an attack, but they are impelled to react with full intensity straight away. They should be at their fierce best because it’s a tightrope walk for them after they enter the battlefield. Kill or get killed!

Perhaps, for someone who knows McCullum’s game very well, doesn’t need an explanation for why he is apt for this trade. Fast and agile on the cricket field, this outrageous Kiwi skipper is mentally quick and is also known for his split-second decisions taken without a trace of fickleness.

Brash and brutal, he can dismantle bowling attacks like few other men in international cricket. Be it Steyn or Kohli, this mercurial batsman treats all of them alike when he is on the song. He may not last long at the crease by virtue of his audacious hitting, but such fearless attitude is quite essential for the warriors of the Rapid Reaction Force.

Do or die! And that’s Brendon McCullum for you!

#4 Misbah-ul-Haq - Captain (Navy)

Navy Chief Misbah

If you decide to throw your hat into an army ship, mark in mind, there’s no way out to escape in the middle of the ocean. No place to hide and therefore once you are in, you’ll have to face the consequences and perhaps even death. That sounds similar to the Pakistan cricket team of the recent past, where captain Misbah fought lone battles from the sinking ship to save his team from the jaws of defeat, but eventually finishing on the losing side.

As resilient as one could be, he has steadied the vessel whenever it was about to capsize, playing anchoring innings on numerous occasions and had been there steering the corvette till the end. He never shied away from putting on a helmet and standing at the short-leg nor was reluctant to take the blame whenever his team lost. A true captain indeed!

#5 Ab De Villiers - Air Force

AB’s flight

Aircraft fly at extreme speeds, and from machine guns to atom bombs, they carry weapons of mass destruction. Who else other than the Proteas’ superhero Ab De Villiers, who creates mayhem on cricket grounds with a not more than 38 inches long willow. Though he is known for his versatility, I think with his exceptional motor skills, he can pilot an aircraft flying at breakneck speeds better than anyone else.

The standout feature of De Villiers’ batting is that he maintains such stability and body balance while playing those unorthodox and ambitious shots keeping his head straight all the time. That’s one notable skill, and coupled with his incredibly quick reflexes, he can dodge attacks of the opposition while maneuvering his fighter jet.

#6 Virat Kohli - Field Commander

Kohli on field

Smart, aggressive and daring, Virat Kohli responded to captaincy as fish to water. The Indian Test skipper enjoys captaining and believes in the idea of leading from the front. He has the boldness to stand for his team and players under any harsh circumstances, without contemplating the adverse effects he will have to face. He loves challenges and is also someone who thrives under pressure.

Someone who possesses the mental fortitude and dedication to play for his team even on the day of his father’s funeral, I reckon, he has the courage and skill to lead an army battalion. He will hunt his targets down, just as he effectuate successful run-chases.

#7 M.S. Dhoni - Commander-in-chief

Chief Dhoni

The mastermind. Tougher than steel and sharper than a blade.. Shrewd and astute, he can take mind-boggling decisions at crucial junctures without losing his ice-cool demeanour. There are few men in international cricket who could handle pressure situations just as the Indian ODI skipper.

A commander-in-chief is a person that exercises supreme operational command and control of a nation’s military forces. Being a master of ‘calculated chases’, Dhoni knows when to attack, when to defend and how to win the game. He is adept in setting snares, and even the best batsmen in the world often fall in his traps. Someone who has led India to countless triumphs, he will be well suited for this highly responsible job.

He has already been conferred the honorary rank of Lt. Colonel in the territorial army, for his outstanding contribution to the field of sports and his commitment to the army on various occasions. Therefore, don’t be surprised, if Dhoni reach such heights after his retirement from cricket.