5 cricketers who prefer books over social media

Cricket demands intense focus, and players manage pressure in very different ways. While many modern cricketers are active on social media platforms, a handful have consistently turned to books instead.

These five players, spanning different eras and formats, are known for keeping reading as a central part of their lives away from the game.

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.