Several Indian cricketers have had to choose between exams and cricket to pursue their dreams. One such player is Jemimah Rodrigues, who debuted for India in 2018 after skipping her 12th board exams. But she’s not alone – in this article, we’ll explore the stories of three other current Indian cricketers who also had to prioritize the sport over academics and went on to achieve success.
Virat Kohli
During a chat with Amir Khan, Virat Kohli admitted to passing his 11th standard examinations but had to skip his class 12 exams due to his focus on U-19 cricket. Despite this setback, he has become one of the most accomplished batsmen in cricket history, with 75 international centuries to his name. Kohli is only second to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar regarding the number of international centuries scored, making him a true icon of the sport.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer, who has played for India in T20Is and ODIs and had success with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, dropped out of the Chartered Accountancy course before his final year to focus on cricket. He had passed the Intermediate exam but could not continue. He later pursued an MBA in Business Administration. In the upcoming IPL 2023 season, he will aim to showcase his skills and make a strong case for an Indian team comeback.
Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi, who currently represents India in T20Is and ODIs, had to make a tough decision when he was a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals in 2018. Despite his father’s objections, he chose to skip his board exams to pursue a career in cricket. This decision proved fruitful as he picked up 17 wickets in the U19 World Cup 2020 and has become a rising star in Indian cricket. Although he is yet to appear for his board exams, he has already achieved a lot in his cricketing career and is one to watch out for in the future.
