Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque is making waves on social media after scoring his first Test century against India on Day 4 of the second Test. Despite India claiming three wickets, including a stunning delivery from Jasprit Bumrah and remarkable one-handed catches by Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Siraj, Mominul’s resilient performance stood out. The left-handed batsman showcased exceptional determination, even as his teammates fell around him.
Quite recently, Rishabh Pant shared a lighthearted comment during the match regarding Mominul’s height. After a delivery from Ashwin bounced unexpectedly and hit Mominul’s helmet, Pant joked to the close-in fielders about the possibility of an LBW, even if the ball struck Mominul’s helmet. Sunil Gavaskar, commentating at the time, couldn’t help but laugh and noted that the joke was tied to Mominul’s stature. It is worth noting here that Mominul ranks as Bangladesh’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, with over 4,200 runs and 13 centuries to his name. His achievements highlight that cricket has plenty of talented players who may not be tall but excel in the sport.
Here are a few legendary examples of shorter cricketers who made a significant impact:
Sunil Gavaskar: Popularly known as the ‘Little Master’, Sunil Gavaskar stands 5 feet 4 inches tall. Gavaskar was highly regarded for his technique against fast bowlers, boasting an impressive average of 65.45 against the West Indies, whose formidable four-man pace attack is often considered one of the fiercest in Test cricket history. However, many of Gavaskar’s centuries against the West Indies came when their full bowling lineup was not on the field. His leadership of the Indian team is remembered as one of the first aggressive approaches, leading to victories in the 1984 Asia Cup and the World Championship of Cricket in 1985.
David Boon: Recognized for his stout build and iconic moustache, Boon amassed over 7,000 runs in Test cricket and made more than 100 appearances for both the Australian Test and One Day International teams. Following his international career, he took on the role of captain for Durham in England before retiring to become a national selector. The kicker: David Boon stands at 5 feet and 3 inches in height.
Gundappa Vishwanath: Vishwanath stands 5 feet 3 inches but it is worth noting that he was celebrated as one of India’s greatest batsmen during the 1970s. He holds the unique distinction of scoring a double century on his first-class debut against Andhra Pradesh in 1967, as well as making a century in his Test match debut. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to cricket, he was awarded the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, the highest honor that the Indian cricket board can give to a former player.
Temba Bavuma: Bavuma stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and is a prominent South African cricketer who currently serves as the captain of the national team in both Test and One Day International formats, having previously led the T20I side as well. Primarily a right-handed opening batsman, he made history as the first black African cricketer to score a Test century for South Africa and to captain the team. Additionally, Bavuma is one of just three South African players to achieve a century on his ODI debut, having scored 113 runs against Ireland in September 2016.
Sachin Tendulkar: Last, but not the least, our very own Master Blaster! Sachin Tendulkar, stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and holds the record for most runs in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket. He amassed over 34,000 runs across formats, including more than 15,000 runs in Tests and over 18,000 runs in ODIs. In 2010, Tendulkar became the first player to score a double century in ODI cricket, achieving this milestone against South Africa. His innings of 200 not out remains a landmark moment in the format’s history.