Cricket has seen many legendary players whose sons followed in their footsteps, hoping to replicate their success on the field. However, not everyone has been able to live up to the expectations set by their iconic fathers. Here are five sons of famous cricketers who struggled to make their mark in the sport, with their careers ending after just a few matches.
1. Rohan Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar, one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, was the first to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket and held the record for most centuries (34) at the time of his retirement. His son, Rohan Gavaskar, also got an opportunity to represent India, but he couldn’t make a significant impact. In his brief ODI career of 11 matches, Rohan scored just 151 runs at an average of 19, with a strike rate of 64.52. Despite his cricketing lineage, Rohan could not cement his place in the national team.
2. Bazid Khan
Bazid Khan, son of the legendary Pakistani cricketer Majid Khan, also tried to carry forward his father’s cricketing legacy. Majid, known as “Majestic Khan,” was a prominent figure in international cricket, with over 27,000 first-class runs and 3,931 Test runs at an average of 39. In contrast, Bazid played only one Test and five ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 32 and 131 runs, respectively. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate the success of his illustrious father and his international career ended prematurely.
3. Richard Hutton
Sir Leonard Hutton, one of England’s most celebrated cricketers, had an impressive career, averaging 57 in 79 Test matches. With 129 centuries and over 40,000 first-class runs, Leonard set a high standard. His son, Richard Hutton, aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps but struggled on the international stage. In five Test matches, Richard scored just 219 runs, failing to make a lasting impression. The pressure of carrying the Hutton legacy proved to be too much.
4. Mali Richards
The legendary Sir Vivian Richards is widely regarded as one of the most fearless and destructive batsmen in cricket history. His son, Mali Richards, also ventured into cricket but never got a chance to play at the international level. Mali played 18 first-class matches, scoring 376 runs, along with 36 runs in 6 List A games and just 5 runs in a single T20 match. Though he also picked up 16 wickets, Mali could not come close to his father’s remarkable achievements.
5. Chris Cowdrey
Colin Cowdrey, an India-born English cricketer, made a name for himself with over 7,624 Test runs at an average of 44 and 22 centuries. In first-class cricket, he amassed more than 42,000 runs. His son, Chris Cowdrey, also pursued a cricketing career but failed to replicate his father’s success. Chris played in 6 Test matches, scoring only 101 runs at an average of 14. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t live up to the expectations set by his father’s illustrious career.
These cricketers, born into famous cricketing families, found it tough to live up to the high standards set by their fathers. While their careers may not have been as celebrated, their journeys serve as a reminder of the immense pressure that comes with carrying a legendary surname in the world of sports.
