Former Chennai Super Kings and Sri Lanka star cricketer turns bus driver

Life often springs surprises. Sometimes, even most successful persons have to see sudden setback in their lives and they go through unexpected career changes to make ends meet.

Though modern day cricketers are earning millions of rupees due to mushrooming of various T20 leagues across the globe, their predecessors didn’t have the same fortune. Even some of the greatest international cricketers who have represented their countries have found it hard to earn their living from the game. The situation has forced them to take other alternatives to make their living.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Suraj Randiv is one such classic case. He was a regular member of his national team. However, Randiv is now residing in Melbourne and working as a bus driver there to earn his livelihood.

Moreover, Randiv is not the only cricketer to have this kind of tragic turn of fortune. Another former Sri Lankan cricketer, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, and Zimbabwe’s Waddington Mwayenga are also working for the same bus company Transdev. The company has a workforce of 1200 drivers and three international cricketers are part of the workforce.

As a right-arm off-spinner, Randiv had a successful career for Sri Lanka. He was part of the Sri Lanka’s 2011 ODI World Cup squad. He played in the summit clash against India. However, the Men in Blue led by MS Dhoni clinched the title. Randiv played 12 Tests, 31 ODIs, and 7 T20Is for Sri Lanka, taking 43, 36, and seven wickets in those formats respectively. He also played for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Though Randiv has retired from international cricket, he continues to play for a local club in Melbourne.

Moreover, Chinthaka Namaste has played five T20Is for Sri Lanka and scored 49 runs. Zimbabwe cricketer Mwayenga made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 2002. He played three ODIs and a single Test match for his country. Despite making significance contribution for their respective countries, their ordeal is not a good advertisement for the game across the globe.