Nicknames and their Origins

Indian Cricketer's Nicknames

Sachin Tendulkar = Little Master

Saurav Ganguly = Maharaj, Prince of Calcutta, Dada, Bengali Tiger

Harbhajan Singh =The Turbanator, Bhajji (by team-mates)

Anil Kumble = Jumbo

Rahul Dravid = The Wall (Difficult to bowl at or get out)

Pakistan Cricketer's Nicknames

Wasim Akram = Prince of Pakistan, Sultan of Swing

Inzamam ul Haq = Aloo (potato)

Saqlain Mushtaq = Saqi, Professor (wears glasses and outsmarts the batsman)

Shoaib Akhtar = Rawalpindi Express (Fastest bowler in the world born in Rawalpindi)

South African Cricketer's Nicknames

Allan Donald = White Lightning (Extremely fast bowler)

Lance Klusener = Zulu

Graeme Pollock - The Little Dog

Peter Pollock - The Big Dog

Shaun Pollock - Polly

Sri Lankan Cricketer's Nicknames

Muttiah Muralitharan - The Smiling Assassin, Murali

West Indian Cricketer's Nicknames

Joel Garner - Big Bird

Brian Lara - The Prince

Clive Lloyd - Super Cat

Whispering death Michael Holding

Cricket Commentators' Nicknames

Henry Blofeld - Blowers

Bill Frindall - The Bearded Wonder

Brian Johnston - Johnners

Christopher Martin-Jenkins - CMJ

Cricket Umpires' Nicknames

Harold Bird = Dickie Bird

Brent Bowden - Billy

Steve Bucknor - Slow Death

An update on Cricketer's Nicknames - Aussie Twenty20 team

The Aussie Twenty20 team took to the field against England in January 2007 with their nicknames on the back of their shirts. Thus we learn:

1. Adam Gilchrist - Church. Because the last syllable of his surname is "Christ"

2. Matthew Hayden - Haydos. Not the most imaginative choice

3. Ricky Ponting - Punter. He likes a bet, especially on the horses and the dogs

4. Mike Hussey - Huss. His name would be his nickname if his nickname was his name. Get it?

5. Andrew Symonds - Roy. His dad's choice, after Roy of the Rovers.

6. Michael Clarke - Clarkey. Yet another unimaginative one

7. Cameron White - Bear. Apparently because he is believed to resemble the Bundaberg Rum Bear, a polar bear used to advertise an Australian spirit

8. Brad Hogg - George. Brad is his middle name - George is his first

9. Nathan Bracken - Andy G. He looks like Andrew Gunsberg, host of reality show Australian Idol

10. Ben Hilfenhaus - Hilfy. It's easier to say than Hilfenhaus

11. Shane Harwood - Stickers. Because of his liking for tattoos.