In India, it is a joke that one becomes an engineer first and then decides what to do with their life. This stereotype isn’t entirely unfounded, with over 3000 engineering colleges in the country. However, this emphasis on engineering can make it challenging for the average Indian to pursue other career paths, such as sports. It takes exceptional talent and dedication to excel in sports in a society prioritising engineering education.
In the world of sports, cricket reigns supreme in India. Despite these challenges, there are a few exceptions – Indians who have succeeded as engineers and professional athletes. Therefore, we’ll look closer at six Indian cricketers with engineering degrees, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their passions.
1. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble, India’s highest wicket-taker in both Test and ODI formats, holds a BE degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rashtriya Vidyalaya College of Engineering, Bangalore. He may have used his analytical skills to outfox some of the best batters in the world. Kumble believes education is crucial in helping individuals deal with success and failure in their careers.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s leading bowler, holds a B.Tech in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering. Ashwin mentioned in an interview that his parents put him through engineering after his Under-17 cricket, but the hard work in college helped him realise his passion for the sport. After graduation, he worked at a software company but did not believe that being an engineer helped him understand cricket.
3. Javagal Srinath
Javagal Srinath, one of India’s best fast bowlers, holds a BE degree in Instrumentation Technology. He believes education is essential for grooming sportspersons. Srinath encourages youngsters to combine education with their passion for cricket, citing his and other cricketers’ experiences. He emphasises that cricket can provide security in life and serve as a foundation for pursuing other careers.
4. Krishnamachari Srikanth
Krishnamchari Srikanth, a flamboyant yesteryear batsman, holds an Electrical Engineering degree from the College of Engineering, Guindy. Srikanth only considered becoming a test cricketer during his fourth year of college. He had a clear mind while batting, a quality he attributed to his engineering background. Srikanth was known for his playing style and once stated that he would continue to play the same way, only better.
5. EAS Prasanna
EAS Prasanna, an off-spinner and one of the first engineers to impact the cricket field, holds an engineering degree from the National Institute of Engineering. He was part of the quartet of spinners that included BS Chandrashekhar, S Venkatraghvan, and Bishen Singh Bedi. Prasanna believed that a degree was essential in his era, and his engineering background helped him analyse cricket better, given his understanding of biomechanics and aerodynamics.
6. Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan
S Venkatraghvan, a skilled spinner for India despite his statistics of 156 wickets in 57 matches, was unfortunately born in an era with three frontline spinners. He later became a respected member of the ICC’s elite panel of umpires, known for his calm demeanour, and was the only umpire to have played at all levels of cricket. A qualified engineer from the College of Engineering, Guindy in Chennai, Venkatraghvan exemplifies an overall approach as a great player, respected umpire, and engineering professional.