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Despite being Indias most popular sport, crickets stature all over the world is minimal in comparison to football, a sport that is played by over 250 million players in over 200 countries. Several cricketers have also expressed their passion for the game, including Mahendra Singh Dhoni who earlier visited Manchester Uniteds ground Old Trafford last month with the whole Indian cricket team.In this slideshow, we talk about 10 Cricketers who support football clubs:
#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni
"Manchester United ki Manager ko Dekh, Kitna relaxed hai!” (Look at Manchester United’s manager, he is so relaxed!)
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a Manchester United fan, and that too a proud one. Who would otherwise keep ranting about how relaxed David Moyes? No one.
On a serious note, Dhoni’s commitment to football precedes more than the rest as he is constantly involved in promoting the game in the country. He was made the brand ambassador for the Premier League for their telecast on Star Sports.
"I am an avid EPL fan and I just played out a real situation in front of the camera,” said Dhoni. “If I am not busy with cricket, I am always busy with EPL during week-ends. Football is extremely exciting and very close to my heart. I was a goalkeeper during my school days. Even today, I play football as a warm up game ahead of key cricket matches
#2 Graeme Smith
Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is a keen Liverpool supporter, and hails Kop legend Kenny Dalglish as his all-time favourite.
"I'm from a family of Manchester United fans but I picked Liverpool,” he told Liverpoolfc.com when he visited the Anfield during Liverpool's 3-2 win over Manchester City last season. "We probably get more live Premiership games on TV in South Africa than you watch over here, so it's easy to get hooked.”
"As a kid, I grew up watching the Barnes-Beardsley-Aldridge team and the played with such charisma. They were untouchable. It's hard to look beyond Barnes and Beardsley but from what I saw on videos, and his achievements as boss, Kenny Dalglish was the first among equals. Every time I came across to England, I tried to find some sort of time in my schedule to visit Anfield, but because of cricket and the commitments in my career, there was never a gap," said Smith.
When asked what made him support Liverpool, the South African said, "I was always very sporty, and growing up, you'd get attached to things - Liverpool was my attachment.
You can read the full transcript of his interview here.
#3 Virat Kohli
India’s most promising player, Virat Kohli is an ardent fan of Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and has shifted his loyalty from Manchester United to Real Madrid because of the Portugal forward.
“Yeah I support Real Madrid,” he told NDTV. “It's mainly because of Cristiano Ronaldo. I used to support Manchester United when he was playing there. Now my loyalties have shifted because of him. I think he is a truly amazing player. I love watching him play.”NDTV.
When asked about football’s popularity in the country, Kohli said, “Football is a sport that is loved globally and it's great to see so many kids having an interest in football apart from cricket as well in India.”
“I really hope this sport grows in India because there are so many people that love football in India. We need to have a good infrastructure and more players coming out of India. I completely love the sport and its personally heartening to see so many kids having a lot of interest in football apart from cricket also.
#4 Dale Steyn
South African pacer Dale Steyn is a die-hard Chelsea fan, and I say die-hard, we actually mean it. He has been also sighted at the Stamford Bridge on many occasions, and it was made official by the club’s official twitter handle when then South African coach Gary Kirsten visited the club offices in London along with Allan Donald.
#5 Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid is an Arsenal fan, and is never shy of showing his colours. In an interview with the Standard, he states how Arsene Wenger's "professorial and intellectual style" made him support the club.Surprisingly, like many other Arsenal supporters, he has a particular hatred towards club-rivals Manchester United. His slogan? "Anybody but United was my slogan!"
#6 Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen is a true blue supporter, and is always vocal about it when asked. Earlier this year, in an interview with Sportskeeda, he said, “Chelsea is my team; I have supported it for years. I have lots of friends there. (Frank) Lampard is a good mate of mine; I have known him for years. And then I became quite friendly with Ashley Cole and John Terry when I was doing my rehabilitation for my Achilles surgery few years ago.”
And, about being vocal, the English cricketer even mocked former Manchester United player David Beckham as Chelsea defeated Manchester in a 3-1 January encounter stating ‘Sorry, Mr Beckham.. Chelsea day today! X’
#7 Gautam Gambhir
Despite the fact that most of the cricketers in the Indian team roster root for Manchester United, Gautam Gambhir is known to be one exception, and occasionally visits the Emirates to show his support for Arsenal.
He was pictured with English cricketer Ravi Bopara at the Emirates last year.
#8 Michael Vaughan
Had he been good enough at football, former English skipper Michael Vaughan would have been a professional footballer, at least that is what he told the Guardian. “I love football,” he stated. “I'd have probably preferred to be a footballer if I could have been good enough. But my knees would never have lasted.”
However, he continues to be an avid supporter of Sheffield Wednesday, a club he has been following since the age of eight, when his family moved away from Manchester to Sheffield.
When asked about how he feels that Wednesday hasn’t been in and around the Premier League for over a decade now, Vaughan said, “They will need someone to write a few cheques as that is really the only way you can do it, not many go through the system without someone backing them a lot. But it is quite a common trend that whoever comes up has a good run in the Championship, look at Norwich and Southampton, because they have that momentum and a winning attitude.”
#9 Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is an avid Real Madrid supporter, and expresses his love for the Whites quite frequently on social media. When asked in an interview for DNA on how he manages to catch up on the games during his busy schedule, he said, “Yes, I am a huge fan of Real Madrid and follow the English Premier League. Real Madrid are by far my favourite because they play aggressive and smart football. Its tough to catch up on all the games but I do try and follow as much as I can.”
“Once I'm done with my gym, training and daily routine, I unwind with some football. It's the best way to relax given our hectic schedule. And I play Fantasy League with my friends, so, that rivalry makes the games even more interesting,” he adds.
He rates Zinedine Zidane as his favourite player, but regrets not owning any of their jerseys. “(Zinedine) Zidane and David Beckham are my favourites and are at the top of my list but (Fernando) Torres is a close third, I enjoy watching him play. Unfortunately, I don't own any of their personal jerseys but team jerseys, of course!”
#10 Andrew Flintoff
Despite being born in Preston, Lancashire, former English international Andrew Flintoff is turned into a Manchester City fanatic after moving to Manchester at the age of 15. When asked about how he spends his usual holidays, the all-rounder said, "For years I'd drop into my local social club to do just that. I wasn't great at the karaoke, but my speciality was Boyzone's No Matter What. I always did well in quizzes. Cricket, darts and snooker are my strengths. I'm not so good on football. I'm a Manchester City supporter. I go to see them, but it's more about a day out with friends than the game."
He was also roped in by the Premier League for their Barclays Fan Of India competition in 2009, the search for the most passionate supporter of the Barclays Premier League in the country.
