From PhD To Engineering: These 9 Indian Cricketers Are Highly Educated You Probably Didn¡¯t Know

You will be surprised to learn that some of your favorite cricketers went into college to become engineers, doctors or for PhD. They are famous as cricketers but many of them, before becoming famous, went to study and today they have degrees of higher education which is not known by everyone. These players from across the country bring a lot of diversity to Team India and the diversity is often seen in the educational qualifications of the cricketers too. Meet indian cricketers who are highly educated:

1. Aavishkar Salvi - PhD in Astrophysics

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Hailing from Mumbai, former right-arm pacer for Team India, Aavishkar Salvi who's bowling style compared to the Aussie legend Glenn McGrath but he couldn't be as consistent as the Australian pacer. After playing only 4 international matches he went back to the domestic circuit, where he played until the 2012-13 season before hanging up his boots. But many know that he is one of the most educated Indian cricketers who holds a PhD in Astrophysics. It is to be noted that Astrophysicists work for ISRO and NASA.

2. Anil Kumble - Completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering

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Legendary Indian leg-spinner and former coach of the Indian cricket team, Anil Kumble effectively redefined the Indian bowling department in his era when the batsmen hogged all the limelight and glory, it was Kumble who was doing his job behind the scenes with the ball. As he got older, he became an even better bowler and in his later years, was just as deadly outside India as he was unplayable on home soil.

619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 scalps in 271 ODIs in a career spanning 18 years. Now that is 956 international victims to his name and from 1990 to 2008 he was the man who carried our attack.

He battled injury, bad form, and lack of consistency to always come back and deliver for Team India in crucial situations. A captain's dream, he ranks right up there with the best in the world. An all-time great and a true legend of the game.

Despite being a champion of cricket history Kumble is also highly educated. He completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Rashtriya Vidyalaya College of Engineering.

3. Murali Vijay - Post Graduate degree in Economics

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Born in Chennai in 1984, Murali Vijay was a former test opener for the Indian cricket team. He made 3983 runs in 61 test matches and had been tried in the ODI side but failed to make an impact. Murali holds a Postgraduate degree in Economics from a renowned SRM University.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin - B. Tech degree in Information Technology

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Ravichandran Ashwin can perform at any level. He's done India proud in the ODIs, Tests, and T20Is. Ashwin now has 430 wickets in 84 Tests matches to his name. He is 3rd among Indians with only Kapil Dev (434) and Anil Kumble (619), ahead of him. In a decade that saw the game of cricket produce fireworks and entertainment, India's Ravichandran Ashwin has ended up as one of the greatest of the game with an array of records. The Indian off-spinner holds a B. Tech degree in Information Technology with a good percentage.

5. Javagal Srinath - Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumental Technology

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In an era of Spinners, Javagal Srinath carried the Pacer's torch for India. The man represented India in 229 ODIs and 67 Tests between 1991 and 2003. Often the unsung hero, he was lethal in overseas conditions and could also adjust to flat wickets on home soil. The former right-arm fast bowler has 315 wickets in 229 games. He was the first to make it, later surpassed by Anil Kumble who took 337 in 271. Fame came wearily when he won the Indian cricketer of the year award in 1992, one year after appearing on the international scene. Srinath who made India proud in many cricket events completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumental Technology from Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) in Mysore. In 2006, Srinath became an ICC match referee, a job he is still doing at present.

6. VVS Laxman - Started pursuing MBBS

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VVS Laxman is a name that needs no introduction. In his 16-year long career along with Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly, the man has played some breathtaking knocks for India, saved us in tight situations and proved himself to be the unsung hero. Hailing from a family of doctors, it seemed pretty much guaranteed that Laxman would go into medicine. But at 17, on the verge of a medical seat, he made a decision that would change his life completely. The former right-handed batsman opted to go for cricket instead of pursuing his quest to be a doctor. The rest as they say is history. He would go on to play some gem knocks and be involved in some great moments for Team India. He now holds an honorary doctorate degree from Teri University, New Delhi.

7. Rahul Dravid - Graduate Degree in Commerce

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Rahul Dravid. The name itself is an institution when it comes to Indian cricket. The Wall, Mr Dependable and our man in need, he was the one who put his hand up when needed for the side. Yes, for 16 years he has been the silent saviour and despite playing in Sachin Tendulkar's shadow for his entire career, he has still left a legacy to be proud of. Oh but that's not all. The current head coach of the Indian cricket team holds a Graduate Degree in Commerce from St. Joseph¡¯s College of Commerce in Bangalore and was selected in the Indian National Cricket Team while pursuing his MBA in St Joseph¡¯s College of Business Administration.

8. K. Srikkanth - Electrical engineer

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India's belligerent opener in the mid-80s, Krishnamachari Srikkanth who was also the part of 1983 world cup winning Indian team, believed in walking to the right side of his partner while striding out to bat in the middle for team India. He is still involved actively in the Indian cricketing scene, having a position in the selection committee. K. Srikkanth holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy in Chennai.

9. Amay Khurasiya - Cleared IAS exams

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Former left-handed Indian batsman, Amay Khurasiya had a perfect career in domestic cricket, where he smashed over 7,000 runs but he couldn't put the same impression in International career. He made only 149 runs in 12 ODI matches. But did you know that this former Indian batsman cleared Indian Administrative Services exam (IAS) before being drafted to play for India. He retired from first-class cricket in April 2007.