5 cricketers who prefer books over social media

Mithali Raj, the former India women's team captain, became one of the most recognisable images in cricket when she was seen reading a book in the dugout shortly before her turn to bat. Rather than reaching for a phone, she used reading as a deliberate tool to stay focused and manage the pressure of a live match.

The habit drew widespread attention and sparked conversations about mental preparation in women's cricket. Raj's approach showed that switching off from the noise around a game, through the quiet act of reading, could serve as a genuine performance aid.

4. Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, the former India captain and head coach, is known for packing multiple books on every away tour. He has treated reading as his primary method of de-stressing from the mental demands of cricket across a long career both as a player and later as a coach.

A biography of Dravid, titled The Nice Guy Who Finished First by Devendra Prabhudesai, covers his career from 1996 to 2005 and reflects the thoughtful, measured personality that his reading habit represents. His reputation for patience and discipline on the field appears to extend naturally into his choice of how to spend time off it.

3. Late Bishan Singh Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi, the late left-arm spinner who played 67 Tests for India and took 266 wickets between 1966 and 1979, regarded literature as a lifelong companion. He valued quiet reading of physical books over modern media throughout his life. Bedi captained India in 22 Test matches and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1970.

An anthology biography published to mark his 75th birthday brought together thirty-four essays from cricketers, writers and opponents, including Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Mike Brearley and Michael Holding, underlining how deeply his personality and intellect were respected across the cricketing world.

2. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler, the English white-ball specialist, has been observed carrying mindset-focused books into high-intensity dressing rooms. He is associated with Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday, a book that explores calm and mental clarity as tools for performance.

For a player who operates in the most pressurised formats of the game, including T20 internationals and franchise tournaments, the choice of a book centred on stillness and focus reflects a deliberate approach to managing the demands of modern cricket.

1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the most competitive batters of his generation, but away from the intensity of the game, he has been known to read memoirs and philosophy books during downtime in hotel rooms and dressing rooms. He has cited Open by Andre Agassi as a book he enjoys, preferring inspiring real-life stories over scrolling through social media feeds.

The Agassi memoir, which deals with pressure, identity and the cost of elite sport, is a fitting choice for a player who has spoken openly about the mental challenges of professional cricket at the highest level. He has also cited 'The Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahamsa Yogananda.