Engineers' Day 2025: From Classrooms to Cricket Grounds – Indian Cricketers Who Were Engineers

Every year on September 15, India celebrates Engineers' Day to honour the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, one of the nation’s most revered engineers and visionaries. On this occasion, it's worth revisiting the stories of Indian cricketers who once pursued the rigorous path of engineering before making their mark on the cricket field. These players not only excelled academically but also carved out exceptional careers in international cricket.

Among the most prominent names is Anil Kumble, widely regarded as one of India's greatest match-winners. Before he became a legendary leg-spinner, Kumble earned a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1992. With 619 Test wickets and 337 ODI wickets, Kumble remains one of the highest wicket-takers in the history of the game. His analytical mindset and disciplined approach to bowling are often attributed to his engineering background.

Another engineering graduate who went on to become a mainstay of India’s bowling attack was Javagal Srinath. He completed his Instrumentation Engineering and became the first Indian fast bowler to take 300 wickets in ODIs. A key figure in India’s pace battery during the 1990s and early 2000s, Srinath was also part of India's squad in multiple World Cups, retiring after the 2003 edition.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, also holds an engineering degree in Information Technology. Since making his debut in 2010, Ashwin has taken over 700 international wickets, including 537 in Tests, making him one of the most successful Indian bowlers of all time. His technical and strategic brilliance on the field has often been linked to his academic roots.

Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad too has an engineering background. He completed his degree from the Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru. During his playing career, he featured in 33 Tests and 161 ODIs, picking up 96 and 196 wickets respectively. Known for his swing and control, Prasad was a key member of the Indian bowling lineup in the 1990s.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former Indian opener and national selector, also comes from an engineering background. He pursued Electrical Engineering before venturing fully into cricket. Srikkanth played 43 Tests and 146 ODIs for India, and was known for his aggressive batting style. He was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team and later served in leadership and administrative roles within Indian cricket.

These players prove that the path to success in sports doesn’t necessarily have to begin in childhood academies. For many of them, cricket was a parallel pursuit until it eventually took center stage. Their stories are a testament to discipline, adaptability, and a willingness to take bold decisions — qualities that define both great engineers and great cricketers.

On Engineers’ Day, their journeys serve as an inspiring reminder that with dedication, it’s possible to excel in both academics and athletics.