From Cheeku To Hitman: A Fascinating Insight Into Indian Cricket Players' Nicknames

Jun 27, 2023

By: NewsPoint

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli reveals the story behind his nickname 'Cheeku'. As a child, he had big ears, was chubby and had short hair. A coach thought he resembled the Cheeku rabbit from Champak comics, hence the nickname. It has stuck with him ever since.

Image Source: Virat-Kohli/Instagram

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, is famously called the 'Hitman' due to his incredible hitting abilities and knack for scoring big shots effortlessly. Fans bestowed this name upon him as a tribute to his remarkable skills.

Image Source: Rohit-Sharma/Instagram

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, the talented cricketer, embraces his nickname 'Ash' with pride. It is derived from his full name and shares a resemblance with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's nickname. The Bollywood connection adds to Ashwin's satisfaction.

Image Source: Ravichandran-Ashwin/Instagram

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane, fondly called 'Jinx'. Shane Warne, his mentor at Rajasthan Royals, coined the name as he believed Rahane brought bad luck to opponents. Discover the fascinating tale behind this moniker in Rahane's own words.

Image Source: Ajinkya-Rahane/Instagram

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan, the explosive opener, is nicknamed 'Gabbar' inspired by the iconic character from the movie 'Sholay'. Known for shouting dialogues during Ranji games, he embraced the name that reflects his aggressive playing style.

Image Source: Shikhar-Dhawan/Instagram

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya, the stylish all-rounder, is nicknamed 'Hairy' due to his trendy hairstyles. He's often compared to Neymar by Raina and supported by Dhoni. His fashion sense and flamboyant playing style make him a favorite among fans.

Image Source: Hardik-Pandya/Instagram

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav, the talented cricketer, is affectionately known as 'Babloo' by his teammates, adding a touch of sweetness to his well-deserved accolades.

Image Source: Umesh-Yadav/Instagram

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, famously known as Sir Jadeja, owes his nickname to MS Dhoni. In 2013, Dhoni, known for his sarcastic tweets, humorously referred to Jadeja as 'Sir' in a tweet. Inspired by Rajinikanth jokes, the nickname stuck, and Jadeja became Sir Jadeja ever since.

Image Source: Ravindra-Jadeja/Instagram

Mohammed Shami

During an episode of Chahal TV, Yuzvendra Chahal hinted at Mohammed Shami's nickname by referring to him as 'Lalaji'. Shami discussed the team atmosphere and bowling partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, adding to the entertaining lineup of interviews on the show.

Image Source: Mohammed-Shami/Instagram

Ishant Sharma

Hailing from Delhi, Ishant Sharma is fondly called 'Lambu' due to his tall and lean physique, standing at 193cm. Starting his cricket journey at 14, he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Delhi at just 18 years old.

Image Source: Ishant-Sharma/Instagram

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