The exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan from the Indian side for the West Indies tour has reignited the discussion on players' fitness. While the official reason hasn't been disclosed by the BCCI, there are murmurs that Sarfaraz's weight played a role in his non-selection.
Editorji presents a closer look at five cricketers, past and present, who defied stereotypes with their larger bodies and showcased that talent surpasses body weight and size.
Rahkeem Cornwall
Rahkeem Cornwall, the West Indian all-rounder, reportedly weighs around 140 kgs. With a height of 6 foot 7 inches, Cornwall tops the list of larger-bodied cricketers. The cricketer from Antigua has played 9 Tests for the West Indies so far.
Dwayne Leverock
Remember Bermuda's Dwayne Leverock from the 2003 World Cup? Despite his weight, there was no shortage of athleticism as Robin Uthappa found out when Leverock took a sensational flying catch in the slips to dismiss the Indian batter.
Azam Khan
Pakistan's Azam Khan, son of former captain Moin Khan, used to weigh 140 kgs. Although he has shed around 30 kgs, he still makes our list. The 24-year-old has represented Pakistan in 5 T20Is and is a regular in various T20 leagues worldwide.
Ramesh Powar
The image of Ramesh Powar, the former Indian off-spinner, with a prominent belly and colorful sunglasses, is etched in the memories of many fans. Powar, who once weighed close to 100 kilograms, once lost 16 kgs on a doctor's advice to prolong his career. The Mumbai bowler played 31 ODIs & 2 Tests for the national side.
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Former Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq faced mockery for his weight, but his talent spoke volumes. With an illustrious career that includes 120 Tests, 378 ODIs, and a 1992 World Cup victory, Inzamam demonstrated that a larger body size doesn't hinder success if you possess the skills.
Also read: Fans target Rohit Sharma as BCCI leave out Sarfaraz Khan from India tour of West Indies