7 Players Who Turned From Medium Pacer To Spinner

Not always can a player become what he set out to do when he started in cricket. We have seen plenty of instances wherein middle-order batsmen have found success as an opener. In this article, we take a look at seven players who turned from medium-pacer to spinner in their careers.

As much as a player's attributes depend on his skills, there are also external factors that influence a cricketers future. Sometimes, a player's physicality might not support him, and on other occasions, the demand of that particular type of profile could also play a part.

1) Muttiah Muralitharan

The highest wicket-taking bowler of all-time Muttiah Muralitharan also started his cricketing journey as a medium-pacer. In his school, he bowled pace, and on being suggested by his school coach, the Sri Lanka wizard switched to bowling off-spin. He was 14-years-old at that time.

2) Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble happens to be one of the fastest spin-bowlers in the history of the game. Incidentally, the player used to be a medium-pacer at the start of his career. However, many pointed out his incorrect technique and based on a suggestion by his brother, he switched to leg-spin. Currently, Kumble is India's highest-ever wicket-taker in Tests.

3) R Ashwin

We are aware that R Ashwin was an opening batsman, and only later he became a specialist spinner. However, interestingly, with the ball, too, Ashwin's first profile was not that of a spinner. He was a medium-pacer, and it was at St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School that he made the switch.

4) Yuzvendra Chahal

Not many know but even Yuzvendra Chahal was a medium-pacer in his junior days. However, based on the suggestion by his father, Chahal became a leg-spinner. His father said that medium pacers need a proper body, and it also involves more risks of injury. Hence, the Haryana spinner started bowling leg-spin, and he is currently India's highest T20I wicket-taker.

5) Ajaz Patel

Ajaz Patel started his Kiwi career on a fantastic note. The Man of the Match for his side on debut, the left-arm spinner also collected a five-wicket haul in his first game. Interestingly, until he was 21 years old, Ajaz Patel was a fast bowler. It is only later that he concentrated on his spin bowling.

6) Mohammad Rafique

Bangladesh's legendary spinner Mohammad Rafique is also one of the players who turned from medium-pacer to spinner in their careers. When he was playing domestic cricket, Wasim Haider asked him to bowl spin and Rafique picked up wickets and never went back to his medium-pace. He happens to be one of the most successful spinners for Bangladesh.

7) Varun CV

Varun CV is also one of the players who turned from medium-pacer to spinner in their careers. The Tamil Nadu man started late in his career, and he was initially a medium-pacer. However, a knee injury forced him to become a spinner. He developed the mystery angle to it, and at the moment, Varun is likely to be part of India's squad for the T20 World Cup.