7 Cricketers who changed their names

Changing of names isn’t quite an uncommon phenomenon these days. The people convert from one religion to another, after which they get a new name, and it becomes their identity for the rest of their lives. Apart from changing religion, there are other reasons as well for changing of names. It also requires concession from families, some of which may not agree to the same in the first go. It’s also prevalent in the field of sports, including the game of cricket. Over the years, there have a number of cricketers, who shifted from one name to the other. Even as some of them were due to the constitution of the country, a few names were altered owing to fascination for celebrities. There were also instances when a nation was being kept on top of the priority list while changing names. 7. Mohammad Yousuf Mohammad Yousuf. (Photo by Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images) Back in September 2005, it was known that Pakistan batsman Yousuf Youhana converted from Christianity to Islam. The Lahore-born batsman was henceforth known as Mohammad Yousuf. Back then, he was the only Christian in the country’s national team. His wife Fatima also converted with Yousuf, but it was the decided that he wouldn’t go public with the issue for some family reasons. About converting, Yousuf said that it was choice after attending preaching sessions of Tablighi Jamaat, Pakistan’s largest non-political religious grouping. It also included his former teammate Saeed Anwar as one of its members. As per Pakistan’s newspapers, his parents were outraged, so much so that his mother said that she didn’t want to give Yousuf her name after what he had done. 6. Asghar Afghan Asghar Afghan. (Photo Source: should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) Back in August 2018, former Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan changed his name. Previously, the Kabul-born batsman was known as Asghar Stanikzai, and he decided to change his surname. On being asked about the same, he said that he was pleased to have included the word ’Afghan’ beside his name. He also stated that it is the national duty of the Afghans to protect their national identity. The decision became official when Afghan registered for the new Electronic National Identity Cards (E-tazkira). Later, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had also posted about the change of name on their official Twitter handle. He is one of the national cricket team’s highest capped players, having plied his trade since 2009, the very year when Afghanistan got the ODI status for the maiden time. 5. Tillakaratne Dilshan Tillakaratne Dilshan. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Tillakaratne Dilshan decided to choose the path of Buddha in the year 1999. Back in 1976, he was born in a Muslim family and his name was Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan. His father belonged to the Islam following Malay group. After his parents got separated, the Kalutara-born changed his religion to that of his mother, Buddhism. His initials TM have since stood for Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage. Dilshan’s childhood coach Ranjan Paranavitana mentioned that even though the former cricketer carried a Muslim name, he and his brothers and sisters followed their mother’s religion from their childhood. It was in 1999 when Dilshan made his international debut and his illustrious career lasted as many as 17 years. His last outing for Sri Lanka was versus Australia in Colombo in September 2016. 4. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. (Photo Source: Twitter) Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi succeeded his father Iftikhar Ali Khan, also known as Nawab of Pataudi Senior, as the sixth Nawab of Pataudi. When Mansur was only eleven years old, his father passed away. After making his India Test debut back in 1961, in the very next year, he became India’s youngest captain in the format at the age of 21. The legendary batter played with the same name until 1971. In 1971, the Government of India officially ceased to recognise princely titles. Hence Mansur changed his name from Nawab of Pataudi Junior. The dashing batsman got to ply his trade in only seven matches after his name change. In 46 Tests, he amassed 2,793 runs at an average of 34.91 with six tons and 19 half-centuries. Pataudi’s highest score of 203* came versus England in Delhi. 3. Bob Willis Bob Willis. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Robert George Dylan Willis, popularly known as Bob Willis, will always be remembered as one of the most courageous fast bowlers England have ever had. But as far as his name is concerned, there’s an interesting story behind it. He was awestruck by the class and aura of Bob Dylan, the enigmatic 1960s American musician. The pacer was impressed to such an extent that he took his second name. He did it through a deed pole, a legal document used for change of name, in 1965. On the field, Willis had to endure a lot of pain. In 1975, he underwent operation on both his knees. He didn’t give up and played for nine more years until the age of 35. After his retirement from cricket, Willis went into the field of media where he formed a strong partnership with Ian Botham for Sky Sports. 2. Josh Buttler Jos Buttler. (Source - England Cricket) England white-ball captain Josh Buttler changed his first name after getting called by the wrong one for 30 years. On April 1, 2024, England Cricket released an Instagram video featuring Buttler declaring his new name. Official statement... pic.twitter.com/r3Kjgdnldu — England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 1, 2024 The video showed the seasoned player changing his name from Jos Buttler to Josh Buttler, after tolerating years of being called by the latter one. He also stated that people mistakenly called him ‘Josh’ instead of Jos so he decided to end the confusion with the name change officially. 1. Axar Patel Axar Patel ODI. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) Axar Patel is one of the vital members of Team India due to his all-round prowess. Back in 2022, Patel appeared on the famous chat show ‘Breakfast With Champions’, and speaking to the host Gaurav Kapoor, the left-arm spinner said his name is Axar, but the pronunciation of the spelling is Akshar. He also revealed how the spelling of his name became Axar to Akshar. Recalling the incident, he said, “I was in Bangalore for the U19 camp before the World Cup. The team was going to Australia. So everyone told me to get a passport made, but I didn't have one.” He also added, “I needed a leaving certificate and licence. When I went to the school to take the leaving certificate, the principal made it ‘Axar’. I have no idea what he did. The NCA people said you usually write 'Akshar', then why is it ‘Axar’ in your passport? I called my dad, and he said nothing can be changed. Then I was picked by Mumbai Indians and played for India too. So I thought everything is going good, so let's not disturb things.”

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7 Cricketers who changed their names

From abiding by a country's constitution to fascination for celebrities, there were a number of reasons behind taking the step.

2. Josh Buttler

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