How modern cricketers would have looked in the 1950s

The game of cricket has undergone a sea change from its initial days in England and is now played in more than 100 nations. The advent of coloured clothing, the introduction of ODI & T20 cricket and the plethora of modern technology incorporated into the game have changed the way the game has been played over the years. The game is getting shorter and shorter, but the run scoring isn’t taking a backseatGone are the days when the matches used to be played on uncovered pitches or when the batsmen used to face up to the fast bowlers with hardly any protective gear. But then there are some things which continue to exist even today in ‘The Gentleman’s Game’, like the rivalry and the controversies between England and Australia. If it was the ‘Bodyline’ in 1932-33, it is the Ben Stokes controversy now. Though cricket did have it’s fair share of superstars in the olden days as well, the way the world has progressed with the amount of coverage the cricketers of present garner, the star potential of some cricketers are just beyond measure. Especially when it comes to a cricket-mad country like India where the game is followed by millions of supporters. Comparisons have always been made as to how the cricketers of today would have fared in olden times. That question we will leave for another day, but here we present how some of the most famous present cricketers would have looked in the past era.

#1 AB De Villiers

AB De Villiers is the ultimate modern cricket superstar. He can bat, bowl and keep wickets, play all around the wicket and can adjust seamlessly to all three formats.

#2 Chris Gayle

West Indies opener Chris Gayle likes to party hard as much as he likes to entertain the crowd. You see him on the field either with a cold stare or with a wide smile – there’s no in-between. With the West Indies team of the past being superpowers of the sport, that smile would have been ever present and he would sport it with a matching hairstyle.

#3 MS Dhoni

Indian ODI skipper MS Dhoni’s growth in Indian cricket has been phenomenal to say the least. The long-haired boy from Jharkhand has led India to two World Cup triumphs and is one of the most powerful persons in the country today. But he has stayed true to his character and continue to be as modest as he was when he came in and that is reflected in his demeanour.

#4 Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen is deservedly or undeservedly the ‘bad boy of cricket. His frequent run-ins with the England team management has all but brought his international career to an end, but it’s highly unlikely that the maverick Pietersen would have mended his ways even in the older generation.

#5 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is always in the news – be it with his batting exploits, his aggressive behaviour or due to his relationship with a certain Bollywood actress. The 26-year-old is one of the world’s most marketable athletes and takes his grooming really seriously. He would have stood out in the earlier generation as well with a distinct style like the long beard pictured here.