Top 5 Indian Cricketers Who Rose from Middle-Class Families

The Indian cricket team (IND) is filled with immense talent and these blessings have reflected perfectly in the cricketing history of the nation. Team India entered the international cricket scene as underdogs, but now they are one of the international giants. While talking about the talent and skills of the players, it is also worth mentioning the struggles they have gone through to get to where they are now.

Players from all over the country are part of the Indian cricket circuit and most of them are from middle or lower-middle-class families. This humble background keeps them grounded and strong individuals. It will also motivate them to give their best to achieve glory. Having said this, let's take a look at five Indian cricketers who rose from middle-class families.

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Here are the top five Indian cricketers who rose from middle-class families

5. MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket. He led India to three ICC trophies and Chennai Super Kings to five titles. One of the most loved cricketers in the country, Dhoni has amazed fans not only with his captaincy brilliance but also with his finishing and wicket-keeping skills.

Apart from his achievements on the field, his calm and humble demeanour is even more impressive. Hailing from Ranchi, a relatively small city in Jharkhand, Dhoni worked as a ticket collector at Kharagpur station while training for the game. He faced many struggles before establishing a name for himself in the sport.

4. Ravindra Jadeja 

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the finest all-rounders and greatest fielders of all time. His contribution in all three departments has helped India win on many occasions. However, to rise to this level, the Gujarat cricketer had to face a lot of struggles.

Born into a middle-class family in Jamnagar, Jadeja lost his mother when he was only 17. His father was a security guard. His family stayed in a one-room house. When his mother died in 2005, he almost decided to quit the game. But he refused to give up and worked hard and was part of the team that won the U-19 World Cup.

3. Shikhar Dhawan 

Shikhar Dhawan is currently not part of the Indian cricket team. However, he will be always remembered for his contributions as an opening batter. Player of the series in the 2013 Champions Trophy, Dhawan has a knack for playing crucial knocks in big tournaments.

The left-handed batter was born into a middle-class Punjabi family with roots in Ludhiana. En route to his international debut in 2010, the star cricketer had to cross a lot of hurdles. However, he never gave up on his aim of becoming a national cricketer and kept on working hard.  

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2. Hardik Pandya 

Hardik Pandya was the hero of India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory. He is one of India's finest fast-bowling all-rounders after the legendary Kapil Dev. The Mumbai Indians captain now leads a flamboyant lifestyle, but growing up it was quite different.

Born in a humble family in Surat, Gujarat, Hardik's late father Himanshu had to work very hard to make ends meet. He moved to Vadodara to provide better cricket facilities for his sons Hardik and Krunal, who play for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. In 2016, during an interview, Hardik revealed that he and his brother used to eat Maggi (then priced at Rs 5) for breakfast and lunch due to financial difficulties.

1. Jasprit Bumrah 

Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly the greatest bowler of this generation and a blessing for Team India and Mumbai Indians. He was the Player of the Tournament when India ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought recently. The road to success was never easy for the right-arm pacer, but he never thought of deviating from his goal.

Bumrah lost his father when he was five years old. Since then, his mother faced many challenges in raising the family. In 2019, the cricketer revealed that he only had one pair of shoes and one pair of T-shirts as a child.