/odishatv/media/agency_attachments/2025/07/18/2025-07-18t114635091z-640x480-otv-eng-sukant-rout-1-2025-07-18-17-16-35.png)
/odishatv/media/member_avatars/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_1/IMAGE_1618575943.JPG )
Follow Us/odishatv/media/post_attachments/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1732965123.webp)
Henry Olonga turned to singing after his retirement from cricket
International cricketers have a very short span of career. Barring few cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, most of the extremely successful cricketers get an opportunity to play for 8-10 years for their respective teams. That means they must plan for an alternative career even before their retirement.
Though coaching, commentary and sports administration are some of the options for them, many cricketers do away with cricket and choose a completely different career path.
Let’s have a look at some international cricketers who chose an alternative career path after their retirement…
Henry Olonga (Zimbabwe)
The former fearsome pacer from Zimbabwe has turned to singing career to make his ends meet. Olonga wore a black armband at the 2003 World Cup in Zimbabwe in protest against the incumbent government’s atrocities. Following the controversy, he fled the country and many years later appeared in season eight of The Voice of Australia.
Joginder Sharma (India)
The all-rounder was the hero in India’s maiden T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 in South Africa. However, his career ended abruptly after that and he joined the Haryana Police in 2007. He was appointed the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for his contribution in the mega event.
Read Also: IPL 2025: Prithvi Shaw remains unsold, Delhi Capitals reveal reason
Chris Cairns (New Zealand)
The talented Kiwi all-rounder had to fight with match fixing charges. Subsequently, his career took a drastic turn and he was forced to make ends meet by driving and cleaning buses in Auckland for 17 dollars an hour. More ordeals were in store for him as he suffered a massive heart attack in 2021 and he was paralysed after that.
Nathan Astle (New Zealand)
The prolific Kiwi batter turned to sprint car racing after his retirement. He made debut at the Ruapuna Speedway near Christchurch four years after his retirement.
Imran Khan (Pakistan)
The former charismatic captain of Pakistan turned to politics after his retirement. He became the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018 after years of toil. However he was ousted from the position in 2022.