Jul 19, 2023, 04:53 PM IST

Middle names of famous Indian cricketers

Chankesh Rao

While the names of most players are well-known, there are some who choose to drop parts of their names or reduce their length by using their initials. As a result, these players go through their entire careers without most people knowing their full names. Let's explore some prime examples of this phenomenon.

Laxman, one of the greatest batsmen produced by the country, is widely recognized by the initials VVS. However, only a few are aware of its true meaning. The complete name of this batting legend from Hyderabad is Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman.

Lala Amarnath, one of the shining stars in the early phase of Indian cricket, not only earned a stellar reputation himself but also saw his sons excel in the sport. However, it may come as a surprise to many that "Amarnath" is not his surname, but rather his middle name. His full name is Nanik Amarnath Bharadwaj.

Ravi Shastri, an Indian cricket commentator, former player, and ex-head coach of the Indian national cricket team, has made significant contributions to the sport. During his playing career, which spanned from 1981 to 1992, he represented the Indian national cricket team in both Test matches and ODIs. His full name is Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri.

Sourav Ganguly, a renowned former Indian cricketer, has not only captained the Indian national team but has also held the prestigious position of President of the BCCI. His full name is Sourav Chandidas Ganguly.

Hardik Pandya is a prominent Indian cricketer who represents the Gujarat Titans in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his exceptional skills, Pandya is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. His full name is Hardik Himanshu Pandya.

SKY made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India on July 18, 2021, against Sri Lanka. In November 2022, he achieved the top ranking as the number one T20 international batsman. His full name is Suryakumar Ashok Yadav.

KL Rahul is a highly accomplished Indian  cricketer, renowned for his exceptional skills as a right-handed Wicketkeeper-Batsman. He represents Karnataka at the domestic level and is the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL. His full name is Kananur Lokesh Rahul.

Sanju Samson, an Indian international cricketer, currently holds the captaincy for both the Kerala team in domestic cricket and the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. His full name is Sanju Viswanath Samson.

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