When a cricketer’s dream to adorn his nation’s jersey is finally achieved, the next biggest dream in life invariably transforms to the biggest honour possible; leading the country. An immense achievement and a highly-respected role whichever country you be in, a captain in cricket holds more importance than perhaps any other sport.
In the 2017 Champions Trophy, eight captains from diverse backgrounds have converged in England, sharing the same aim to win the coveted title for their side. Before being made captains, most of them had prior leadership experience, especially in the U-19 ranks.
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Here is how the eight captain’s looks have transformed over their career:
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers burst into the international scene as a talented batsman who could keep as well. Initially unassertive, he took his own sweet time to find his feet at the top most level (credit should be given to South African cricket to have given him time when he was not in the best of form).
He was inconsistent in the first half of his career, but flicked a switch in the second one, turning into a destructive batsman who could play any shot in the book (and a lot more) even with a solid technique. His name is now taken in the same breath as one of the greats of the game, and he is captaining the side in pursuit of a major ICC title.Watch: AB de Villiers’ fastest century of all time (Video Courtesy: Supersport)
Angelo Mathews
He made his way into the side when the triumvirate of Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara were still ruling the roost. With them long gone, Mathews has stepped up to be the senior statesman during the transition phase for the side.
An all-rounder who has proved himself when the situation has demanded, Mathews returns as captain in the Champions Trophy with the aim of leading his side to their second title. Part of the World T20 winning side in 2014, as well as the finalist of the 2011 World Cup and the World T20 in 2012, Mathews’ career has been lately hampered by a number of injuries. He also led the team to the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup.
Steve Smith
He started off as a scrawny 19-year old leg-spinner, who could bat a bit, but has completely evolved into one of the world’s best with his unconventional yet highly effective batting, spread across all three formats.
He was part of the same U-19 batch as Virat Kohli, but had to wait as long as the 2014 Ashes series to show his true self, and within the next three seasons, he had broken multiple batting records to etch his name in history. He hardly bowls now, having completely involved into a top batsman, reaching the fifth-highest Test ranking of all time (941) in March this year.
Eoin Morgan
Morgan has had quite an interesting story to tell: in 2004 and 2006 U-19 World Cup sides captain of the Ireland team, before making the switch to England, a team he wanted to play for ‘even as a 13-year-old’. Once in England, he got identified as a someone who could score at a fast clip with his enterprising strokes, and soon became captaincy material once other senior players departed from the limited-overs sides. Now the captain of the limited-overs side, he has been one of the pillars behind the team’s rise in fortunes in coloured clothing.Watch: Eoin Morgan’s unique shot against Ravi Rampaul in the World T20
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Just like Kohli, Sarfaraz is a U-19 World Cup winning captain, who led his side to an unlikely win against India in the final of the 2006 edition. He returns with a healthy mixture of youth and experience, as they look to win their first Champions Trophy. Initially in his career, he had to fight for a place in the Pakistani team with the brother-duo of Kamran and Umar Akmal.
He was given the T20 captaincy of the Pakistan team post the 2016 World T20, and was handed over the ODI captaincy in February this year. Having made the captain this year, Sarfaraz’s real test as captain is now, with the side losing their opening fixture against India.
Virat Kohli
A competitive youngster who tasted success early, Virat Kohli has grown from strength to strength, year after year, to become one of the world’s best batsman, all at the age of 28. A born leader, Kohli came in the limelight when he led the India Colts to victory in the U-19 World Cup in 2008.
Now the captain of the senior team in all three formats, Kohli will captain the Indian side for his first major ICC tournament. He has come a long way from his chubby teenage days, turning into a youth icon with his bearded look and fashionable persona.
Watch: Kohli’s hundred as a teenager in the U-19 World Cup
Kane Williamson
Baby-faced Williamson made his debut for New Zealand in 2010, and was straightaway earmarked for greater things, because of his solid technique and unflappable temperament. A calm and unassuming cricketer, Williamson, already a veteran of 61 Tests at the age of 26, captained the New Zealand side in the 2008 U-19 World Cup, where it lost to eventual winners India in the semi-finals. Watch: Kane Williamson’s early career batting highlights (2010-2014)
Mashrafe Mortaza
One of the longest serving cricketers of the current era, Mashrafe Mortaza never let injuries hamper his indomitable spirit, even as he enters his sixteenth year in international cricket. One of the fastest bowlers from his country when he first entered the scene, Mashrafe dropped pace considerably, but never let go of the guile, or his perseverance.
He now leads the Bangladeshi team for their first Champions Trophy in 11 years, hoping to work on their improved form in the last few years as they aim to become more than mere giant-slayers in ICC events.
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