5 cricketers who prefer books over social media

Cricket demands intense focus, and players manage pressure in very different ways. While many modern cricketers are active on social media platforms, a handful have consistently turned to books instead.

These five players, spanning different eras and formats, are known for keeping reading as a central part of their lives away from the game.

Here are 5 players who prefer books over social media:

5. Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj, the former India women's team captain, became one of the most recognisable images in cricket when she was seen reading a book in the dugout shortly before her turn to bat. Rather than reaching for a phone, she used reading as a deliberate tool to stay focused and manage the pressure of a live match.

The habit drew widespread attention and sparked conversations about mental preparation in women's cricket. Raj's approach showed that switching off from the noise around a game, through the quiet act of reading, could serve as a genuine performance aid.