5 cricketers who play cricket and also have other part-time jobs ft. Teja Nidamanuru 

The Netherlands came from behind to hand South Africa a stunning 38-run loss in Match 15 of the ongoing ICC men's ODI World Cup 2023 on Tuesday. While the outcome astonished the cricketing world, the tale of players like Paul van Meekeren made the Netherlands' victory even more praiseworthy.

The Dutch speedster, who accounted for the wickets of Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen, worked as a food delivery guy in 2020 to make ends meet. Following his incredible performance in Dharamsala, Van Meekeren's old tweet has gone viral.

In the tweet, Van Meekeren revealed that in 2020 he was delivering food for Uber Eats as the Men's T20 World Cup was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to a dearth of financial stability, several players undertake part-time work parallel to their professional cricket. On that note, here is a look at five professional cricketers who play the sport but also have other part-time jobs.

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#1 Teja Nidamanuru - Has a corporate job

Teja Nidamanuru during the 2023 ODI World Cup [Getty Images]

The Indian-born middle-order batter is part of the Netherlands team at the ongoing 2023 ODI World Cup.

Nidamanuru, who made his List-A debut while playing for Auckland in 2018, couldn't break into New Zealand's domestically contracted players. That's when he started searching for opportunities elsewhere, eventually getting a gig at a company in the Netherlands.

Despite working at a corporate entity, Nidamanuru kept playing cricket at the local level. His performances eventually caught the attention of the national selectors and he was named in the national (ODI) squad for their series against the West Indies in 2022.

He struck an impressive half-century on his debut and was also part of the Netherlands side at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

In fact, the 29-year-old still holds two jobs: a playing retainer, and another for his administrative job, which enables him to live in the European country.

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#2 Khurram Khan - Flight purser at Emirates

Khurram Khan bats during Ireland v UAE - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Match

A role model for many budding cricketers in the UAE, Khurram Khan played international cricket from 2004 to 2015. Incredibly, the former UAE skipper was involved in a full-time job as a flight purser while playing international cricket.

Due to his job responsibilities, Khurram regularly missed out on training sessions. But he never gave up on his passion for sports.

Born in Multan, Pakistan, Khurram's ability to balance his career with a full-time job is a source of inspiration to all cricketers who are struggling to make a living from the game.

The former all-rounder also has an ODI world record to his name. Khurram, who was 43 years and 162 days old when he hit his only century against Afghanistan in 2014, is still the oldest player to smash an ODI century.

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#3 Stephan Myburgh - Works at a consultancy company

Stephan Myburgh during New Zealand v Netherlands - 3rd ODI [Getty Images]

Another Dutch player on the list is Stephan Myburgh. The left-handed batter, who made over 1,400 international runs for the Netherlands, announced his retirement last year.

Myburgh was part of the Dutch team at the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, where his teammate Paul van Meekeren revealed that he was playing the World Cup while being absent from his corporate job.

While taking to the Indian Express, Van Meekeren said:

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"We have two players, Stephan Myburgh and N Teja, who work at a consultancy company and are playing the World Cup on leave without pay. They will be back at their office when the tournament gets over."

It is not often that a player gets to represent his country at a global event while taking time off from a full-time job.

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#4 Jatinder Singh - Works in the administrative department of a company

Jatinder Singh batting during ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers [Getty Images]

Jatinder Singh, who has played 96 international games for Oman, is a professional cricketer whoi is also working in the administration department of a company.

The Ludhiana-born batter jostles between his cricketing career and his job responsibilities. He often practices in the morning before attending office in the day time.

During an interview in 2021, Jatinder shared his hardships on managing his career:

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"Cricket in Oman sees teams competing at corporate level and national team cricketers are not highly paid like India. I joined Arabian industries in 2011 before joining Khimji Ram Das Company in 2014 and now I work in the administration department. After the practice sessions in morning, I have to be on my job from 8.30 am to 5pm."

Jatinder, 34, has made 2,298 international runs and notched up 11 fifties and three tons for Oman.

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#5 Ajay Lalcheta - Worked in the logistics department of a shipping firm

Ajay Lalcheta for Oman [Getty Images]

Ajay Lalcheta is another India-born Oman cricketer who migrated from his hometown in order to follow his cricketing dreams.

The left-arm spinner first migrated to Uganda to play cricket in 2004, and stayed there for a year. He then went to Muscat in 2006 to seek new opportunities.

In the meantime, Lalcheta joined a shipping firm and handled the logistics department. The Gujarat-born made his debut for Oman in 2014 and went on to feature across 18 international matches before retiring in 2019.

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