3 times a cricketer reading a book became viral
Star Australian cricketer David Warner went viral on social media when he was spotted solving crosswords in the balcony of Lord's cricket ground during Australia's innings in Ashes 2023 Test match.
The second Test of the Ashes 2023 series is underway right now, where Australia are aiming to take a 2-0 lead against home team England. David Warner played a brilliant inning of 66 runs to help the Aussies get off to a good start in the second Test.
After Warner departed to the pavilion, Steven Smith's hundred and Travis Head's half-century helped Australia cross the 400-run mark. The Aussies batted for almost 80 overs after David Warner's dismissal.
During the final phase of their innings on Day 2, Warner decided to kill some time by solving crosswords. A photo of him solving crosswords went viral on social media.
"And Warner just can't figure this out"
"What, the bowling strategy?"
"No, 12-across."
David Warner is doing crosswords in the pavilion. 😂
📸 - Fox Cricket
Listen live: ab.co/3ZNQin6
#Ashes https://t.co/WIkq4eOpt2
This was not the first time a cricketer went viral on social media while reading a book during the match or in leisure time. Here's a list of the three other players who grabbed headlines while reading a book.
#1 MS Dhoni with the Bhagavad Gita
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni has always urged the youngsters to focus on the process and not worry about the results whenever he has been asked for advice. This preaching is from Bhagavad Gita, and Dhoni was pictured with the holy book after IPL 2023.
MS Dhoni reading the Bhagavad Gita. https://t.co/lla0rtWWkX
A photo of the CSK skipper with the Bhagavad Gita in his hand went viral on social media. Dhoni was in the middle of his car journey, and he seemingly decided to read the holy book on the way to his destination.
#2 Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli reading Detox Your Ego went viral on social media
Virat Kohli has made a name for himself with his top-quality performances across all formats of international cricket. Fans are always curious to know details about Kohli's personal life, and the fact that he is the most-followed Asian on Instagram solidifies the aforementioned claim.
#ViratKohli was seen reading this book in the last match. Wonder he has taken a tip or two from that book in making his decision. 😌🏃 https://t.co/t51yXJu0nZ
Every small thing which Kohli does goes viral on social media. During a Test match in West Indies four years ago, Virat Kohli was spotted reading Steven Sylvester’s book ‘Detox Your Ego’ in the dressing room. The cameraman focused on him while he was reading. The screenshot went viral and fans were quick to notice the cover of the book.
#3 Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh was spotted reading a novel
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh was spotted reading 'Shanataram' novel during a match. Yuvraj has a habit of reading books. His photo with Suresh Raina's book also went viral on social media two years ago, but during his playing days, he was spotted reading Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
@RandomCricketP1 Yuvraj Singh was spotted reading a book once. Book of choice - Shantaram. https://t.co/ij5eE3qi8Q
Former Australian cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Michael Hussey, and Damien Martyn also came across this book during their visit to India for ICC Champions Trophy in 2006. They even went to an old restaurant named Leopold in Mumbai, where they met Shanataram himself. Sharing the experience in his book, Hussey wrote:
"It was a fascinating conversation and a situation we were fortunate to stumble upon. There we were three players from the Australian cricket team sitting in this dirty, dingy drug den hotel from a novel we were absorbed by, and within minutes we had the star of the book sitting there telling us extraordinary stories."
Roberts' story caused quite a stir across the world. The massive book sold like hot cakes, for this was the ultimate adventure story.
Three men who were reading it at the same time three years after it came out were Michael Hussey, Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn. When the https://t.co/3M3rk35xkl
Australian team arrived in India in 2006 for the Champions Trophy all these three men were hooked to the story of Shantaram. One afternoon, @gilly381 was walking around in Mumbai alone when he spotted an old restaurant called the Leopold. Still very much in the Shantaram
When the story of Hussey, Gilchrist, and Martyn's connection with Shantaram went viral on social media, cricket fans also dug out an old image of Yuvraj Singh reading this book.