Cricket is almost a religion in India, uniting millions of people under a single banner. Then again, cricketers are often, justifiably considered giants. They are almost as divine as gods, worshipped for their on-field heroics. Every move they make in the ground is watched, cheered for, and debated over by the fans, transforming the players into giants. But, besides the cricket field, they all remain as human beings-after all, they too have interests, hobbies, and passions that give them a break from the high-pressure world of international sports. While we see them beat opponents with bat, ball, or as captains of the Indian cricket team, there’s a whole other side of them, not restricted to the stadiums and locker rooms.
These cricketers regard any free time between games as sacred. It is then that they unwind, recharge, and engage in what gives them the necessary mental and physical rejuvenation to ensure they are their best selves out there on the field. For some of them, it is in gaming; for others, music; and for others, pure quietude with nature. Personal hobbies also give fans a peep into their more human side, one rarely seen in the thick of the game.
It is quite interesting to note that even athletes, who relentlessly test and push their bodily and mental limits day in and day out, have a vast array of interests that differ from one another. Be it MS Dhoni as a motorbike enthusiast, Virat Kohli as a fitness freak, or Rohit Sharma as a travel buff, each has his own flavor to spend time off the pitch. These hobbies allow them to explore different factors of life and thus give them a balance, which helps them cope with the immense pressure that comes with being an Indian cricketer.
Among the Betstar exchange community, discussions about player achievements are only rivalled by interest in their personal lives, highlighting the ongoing fascination with the off-field activities of cricket stars.
Let’s dive deeper into the lives of some of India’s most iconic cricketers and unravel the hobbies that keep them grounded, relaxed and composed even when they are playing cricket and representing their nation at the highest level.
1. MS Dhoni: The Gamer, Biker, and Sports Enthusiast
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as “Captain Cool,” often proves that cool and composed demeanour off the field as on the field while leading his team. Dhoni has a very serious passion for gaming, particularly for his PlayStation. Wherever Dhoni travels, his PlayStation goes with him, and he commonly spends his free time gaming and unwinding himself from international cricket pressures.
In addition to gaming, Dhoni is also known to love bikes very much. He has an impressive collection of motorcycles in his personal garage, most of which are among the best available in the world. He has also been seen going for long-distance bike rides, another passion that allows him to revert to his roots. Very recently, Dhoni’s love for sports went beyond cricket and bikes—he was seen enjoying tennis and golf. A viral picture with former U.S. His playing golf and taking a break in the USA really tells one of the increasing popularity being experienced in the sport with President Donald Trump.
2. Virat Kohli: The Fitness Freak and Music Lover
Virat Kohli is known for his aggressive batting and superb pressure handling skills along with being a fitness icon. Even during holidays, when Kohli is taking his training off from cricket, he is still spending hours at the gym to maintain his chiselled physique. As demanding his batting is, his workout sessions are equally or more rigorous, and millions have been inspired to lead a healthier lifestyle through fitness.
Apart from his love for fitness, Kohli loves listening to Punjabi tracks often, which he quite frequently likes to parade in the team parties. Fans have witnessed Kohli dancing and grooving with Punjabi track beats. He was specially spotted doing it when he was celebrating a win with his RCB team. His energy on the dance floor is similar to his enthusiasm on the cricket field.
3. Rohit Sharma: The Traveler and Gardener
Rohit Sharma-the man behind the elegant batting and the infectious smile. He has this serenity off the field. Travel is the one thing he loves to do the most. Well, mostly along with his wife Ritika and daughter Samaira, Rohit would travel to many new places. His Instagram feed may be posted with nice picturesque shots from their family vacations.
Besides travelling, he finds peace in gardening. He unwinds and relaxes by taking care of plants far away from the cricketing world. This contact with nature develops a therapeutic balance to the otherwise very fast-paced career in a cricket player.
4. KL Rahul: The Music Aficionado and Globe-Trotter
Stylish batter KL Rahul is also a music lover at heart. In fact, music is something that is always there for him, whether it is a long road journey or free time in the hotel. Rahul’s playlist is as aesthetically beautiful as his batting style, and he loves vibing to various genres of music that help him de-stress, one song at a time.
Apart from his love for music, Rahul also loves to travel and often boards flights to varied destinations within and outside India. His social media is filled with snaps from the most exotic locales, revealing his zest for exploring different cultures and places. Travel to Rahul is not just a hobby but a way to rejuvenate himself and rediscover himself.
5. Hardik Pandya: The Wanderlust Enthusiast
No secret how much Hardik Pandya loves travelling. The flamboyant all-rounder just can’t get over his break from cricket and so keeps off to some beach or city for some tropical coolness. His Instagram surely speaks to this fact, filled with numerous trips around the world to picturesque locations and celebrity infinity pool parties.
While Pandya has a great love for travelling, it is not limited to holidaying. He keeps talking about cricketing tours and combines both his professional and personal fondness for travels. Whether he is in the Maldives or in the Caribbean, all his fans are going crazy over his travel pictures.
Indian cricketers are heroes on the field, but their hobbies off the field make them pretty relatable. Be it Dhoni with gaming and bikes, Kohli with his fitness and Punjabi beats, or Rohit with his travels and gardening; all these have good personalities well beyond cricket at stake. These hobbies let them step out of the limelight and recharge themselves, thus when they return to the field, they are at peak performance.
