Cricket, so famously known as a gentleman's game, has had several players who, after retirement, pursued different careers. While most have remained associated with the game in some or other capacity as coaches, commentators, or administrators, several cricketers pursued entirely different lives for themselves, demonstrating that they were multi-faceted and capable of turning over a new leaf. This piece delves into the careers of ten such cricketers who took up interesting, off-the-beaten-path occupations after retirement and how they were diverted away from the cricket pitch. 10 Cricketers Who Switched Careers After Retirement Player Name Country Post-Retirement Profession Salil Ankola India Actor Chris Harris New Zealand Medical Sales Representative Nathan Astle New Zealand Auto Racer Henry Olonga Zimbabwe Singer Bryan Strang Zimbabwe Yoga Instructor Brett Schultz South Africa Insurance Director Navjot Singh Sidhu India Politician and Television Personality Curtly Ambrose West Indies Musician Imran Khan Pakistan Politician (Former Prime Minister) Andrew Flintoff England Boxer and Television Presenter Salil Ankola Image Source : Twitter Salil Ankola, an upcoming Indian fast bowler, was teammate to Sachin Tendulkar in 1989. Although he played only one Test match and 20 ODIs in his very brief international career, Ankola turned to a different profession in the entertainment industry. He acted in few Bollywood films and TV serials and carved out a niche for himself in Indian entertainment. His experience is proof of the versatility of sportsmen turning to other hobbies. Also Read | Top 10 Big Names Who Flopped in IPL 2025 Chris Harris Image Source : Getty Images New Zealand's Chris Harris was renowned for his all-rounder talent, having played 250 ODIs and 23 Tests. Post-retirement, Harris pursued the medical field, specifically the sales of orthopedic equipment. His profession involves selling devices like pedicle screws and artificial joints to surgeons and hospitals, a dramatic shift from the cricket pitch to the medical field. Nathan Astle Image Source : AFP Nathan Astle, a reliable batting pillar of New Zealand cricket, retired in 2007 after a commendable career. Post-cricket, he pursued auto racing, and there was no second thought in his being part of the South Island Sprint Car Championship, of which he secured the third position in 2010. Astle's transition brings out the diverse interests a sportsman can pursue other than his adopted game. Henry Olonga Image Source : X Henry Olonga of Zimbabwe was not only a headline-grabber because of his cricketing ability; he was also a political activist in the 2003 World Cup. After retirement, music was a comfort to Olonga, and his album, "Aurelia," which was released in 2006, indicated his passion for the art. His music career gained further momentum when he participated in an Australian reality singing TV show, showing his multi-faceted talent. Also Read | IPL Finals Reversed: Who’d Have the Most Titles? Bryan Strang Image Source : Getty Images Bryan Strang, yet another Zimbabwean cricketer, was famous for his precise bowling during the late '90s. Having to deal with political unrest and personal issues, Strang turned to yoga. He took to it with great enthusiasm and became a yoga teacher, teaching and spreading the practice within Zimbabwe and around the world, focusing on mental and physical well-being. Brett Schultz Image Source : Getty Images South African Brett Schultz had a brief but significant cricketing life, taking 37 wickets in nine Tests. Injuries shortened his in-the-field career, and he pursued other activities. Schultz transitioned into business, working as an insurance director for Econorisk, successfully making the move from sport into the corporate world. Navjot Singh Sidhu Image Source : AFP Navjot Singh Sidhu, a pugnacious batsman, played for India in 51 Tests and 136 ODIs. Post-retirement, he became a famous cricket commentator known for his clever one-liners. Sidhu's fame saw him on TV, where he appeared in comedy shows, and subsequently into politics. He was a Member of Parliament and a minister, showing that he remained busy post-cricket. Also Read | Players with the Longest Gap Between Two IPL Appearances Curtly Ambrose Image Source : PA Photos West Indies' Curtly Ambrose was perhaps the most intimidating of fast bowlers, claiming over 400 Test wickets. After retirement, Ambrose had a turn at his musical talent and played the bass guitar with a band, "Big Bad Dread and the Baldhead." His foray into music reveals the creative streak sportsmen engage in once they retire from sport. Imran Khan Image Source : AFP Imran Khan, cricket's greatest all-rounder, led Pakistan to its only World Cup victory in 1992. Post-retirement, Khan went into politics and founded the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Following years of political unrest, he was voted in as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018, a huge transition from sports to politics at a national level. Also Read | Top 10 Youngest Players to Score a Century in IPL Andrew Flintoff Image Source : AFP England's Andrew Flintoff was renowned for his all-rounder talent and flair personality. After his cricket retirement, Flintoff went professional in boxing and won his first fight in 2012. Though his professional boxing career was short-lived, Flintoff ventured into television and property afterwards, demonstrating his versatility outside cricket. Conclusion The careers of these ten cricketing stars point out the various options available for sportspersons post-retirement. The entrance into realms like entertainment, politics, music, and business points out the variety and adaptive ability of sportspersons. These autobiographies serve as an inspiration to look at the successful adaptation into different fields using skills developed while involved in a completely different primary occupation.