Five Cricketers Who Changed Their Religion: There have been many players in the cricket world who changed their religion due to personal belief or family reasons. This decision of some of these players surprised cricket fans around the world. The names of Vinod Kambli of India and Mohammad Yusuf of Pakistan are also included in this list, who have converted their religion. Here we are going to tell about 5 such legendary cricketers, who changed their religion and are still living their lives with faith in that religion.
Those 5 legendary cricketers who changed their religion
1. Mohammad Yousuf – Pakistan
The name of Pakistan’s legendary batsman Yusuf Yohana is the most popular name in this list. Yusuf was born in a Christian family. However, he converted to Islam in 2005 and changed his name to Mohammad Yusuf. In the year 2006, he had set a historic world record of scoring the most runs (1788 runs) in a calendar year of Test cricket.
2. Vinod Kambli – India
Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli also made a lot of headlines by converting his religion. Kambli was born in a Hindu family, but he converted to Christianity after marrying his Christian friend Andrea. These two have a son, whom they have named Jesus Cristiano. Kambli had said in an interview that he respects all religions, but he has chosen the path of Christianity by adopting his wife’s faith.
3. Tillakaratne Dilshan – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s legendary opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan was born in a Muslim family and his name was Tuwan Mohammed Dilshan. His father was Muslim and mother Buddhist. After his parents’ separation, Dilshan chose his mother’s faith and left Islam and converted to Buddhism. Only after this he changed his name to Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan.
4. Wayne Parnell – South Africa
South African fast bowler Wayne Parnell converted to Islam in 2011, after which he changed his name to Waleed. However, he remained known in the cricket world by his old name ‘Wayne Parnell’. Parnell had clarified after his conversion that his decision was completely personal and he had studied for a long time for it.
5. Suraj Randiv – Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan spin bowler Suraj Randiv also converted his religion. Randiv was born in a Muslim family and his name was Mohammad Marshuk Mohammad Suraj. Later, he converted to Buddhism and changed his name to Suraj Randiv. Presently he lives in Australia and has also settled there.
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