Cricketers make their name courtesy of their brilliance with the bat or the ball which makes them a renowned personality. But have we ever thought about the story behind their names ?
Here’s a look at five cricketers who changed their religion.
4- Suraj Randiv
Randiv represented Sri Lanka in the 2011 world cup finals where they eventually lost to India. The 34-year-old has featured for the national side in 30 ODIs and 12 tests but could not cement his place after the departure of legendary Muttiah Muralitharan.
Very few know that the off-spinner was born as Mohamed Marshuk Mohamed Suraj in 1985 to a family that practiced Islam. The Matara born later got converted to Buddhism and also changed his name to Suraj Randiv in 2010.
3- Wayne Parnell
Remember the sturdy South African pacer who was more renowned for different and weird looking hairstyles. The 29-year-old has featured in 6 tests and 65 ODIs for the Proteas. Very few know that the Port Elizabeth born declared of his change to Islam in July 2011. His Islam name is Waleed but he still uses his previous name.
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