5 Indian cricketers who dropped out of school to chase cricket — Including teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Many Indian cricketers have successfully balanced education with their sporting careers. However, a few chose a different path by leaving school early to focus completely on cricket and chase their dream of playing for India.

Leaving school was not an easy decision for these players. They made the choice at a young age so they could spend more time training, playing competitive cricket, and improving their skills.

Their dedication and hard work eventually paid off. Over the years, they earned opportunities at the highest level and established themselves as some of India's most successful cricketers.

In this article, we take a look at five Indian cricketers who dropped out of school to pursue cricket full-time, including teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is already making headlines with his remarkable talent.

5. Viral Kohli 

We start this list with Indian superstar Virat Kohli. He is one of the most popular cricketers in the world and enjoys a huge fan following across social media. Kohli's journey from a middle-class family in Delhi to becoming one of India's greatest cricketers is truly inspiring.

Kohli studied at Vishal Bharti Public School in Delhi until Class 9 and later attended Saviour Convent School in Paschim Vihar, where he studied up to Class 11. He did not go to college or complete higher education. At the age of 16, he was selected for the India Under-19 team, after which he decided to focus completely on cricket.

See also -Watch: "Done with it" — Virat Kohli ends Test cricket comeback speculation for good at One8 event in Delhi

Although he did not complete his education, Kohli has become a role model for young cricketers around the world. His success is the result of hard work, discipline, and passion for the game. He continues to break records in international cricket and the IPL, and fans eagerly wait to see him achieve even more milestones.

4. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest batters in cricket history. Popularly known as the "Master Blaster" and the "God of Cricket," he left school at the age of 16 after earning a place in the Indian team. From that point, he decided to focus completely on his cricket career.

Sachin studied at the Indian Education Society's New English School in Bandra before moving to Sharadashram Vidyamandir in Dadar, Mumbai. He completed his schooling there but did not pursue higher education. His move to Sharadashram Vidyamandir came after legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar recognised his talent and encouraged him to train seriously.

See also -Watch: Sachin Tendulkar plays cricket with family inside a flight — Video goes viral

Sachin's half-brother, Ajit Tendulkar, played a key role in his journey by introducing him to Achrekar at Shivaji Park. After getting another chance to impress the coach, Sachin was selected for Achrekar's academy. The decision to focus on cricket changed his life, and he went on to become the first player to score 100 international centuries and the first batter to hit a double century in One-Day Internationals.

3. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya takes the third spot on this list of Indian cricketers who left school to pursue cricket. He is one of India's best all-rounders and is known for his powerful batting, useful fast bowling, and outstanding fielding. Over the years, he has played a key role in many memorable victories for India across all formats.

Hardik left school after Class 9 because of financial difficulties. His father, Himanshu Pandya, closed his business in Surat and moved the family to Vadodara so that Hardik and his brother Krunal could receive better cricket coaching. The two brothers joined Kiran More's Cricket Academy, where Hardik began focusing entirely on the sport.

Hardik studied up to Class 9 at MK High School before leaving his education behind to chase his cricket dream. His hard work paid off when the Mumbai Indians signed him in the IPL in 2015. Since then, he has become one of India's biggest match-winners and continues to be one of the most valuable all-rounders in world cricket.

2. Shubman Gill 

Shubman Gill takes the second spot on this list of Indian cricketers who left school to pursue cricket. One of India's brightest young stars, Gill impressed everyone with his talent from a very young age. His calm approach and consistent performances have made him a key player for both India and the Gujarat Titans.

Gill completed his schooling in Punjab and passed his Class 10 (matriculation) examinations from Manav Mangal Smart School in Mohali. His family later moved to a rented house near the PCA Stadium in Mohali so that he could focus on cricket. At the age of 17, he was selected for the India Under-19 team, after which his cricket career became his top priority. As a result, he did not pursue higher education or a college degree.

Gill's decision to focus on cricket has proved to be the right one. He has established himself as one of India's finest batters across formats and continues to achieve new milestones with the national team and in the IPL.

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tops this list of young Indian cricketers who have prioritised cricket over traditional schooling. The 15-year-old batter recently earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against England and Ireland. Despite his busy cricket schedule, he has not dropped out of school and continues his education through online learning.

Vaibhav is currently a Class 10 student. To focus on his cricket commitments, including his time with Rajasthan Royals, he temporarily skipped his Class 10 board examinations. This flexible approach has allowed him to balance his studies with his rapidly growing cricket career.

Vaibhav began training at a cricket academy in Samastipur when he was just nine years old. He also spent time at an indoor training facility in Muzaffarpur while staying with relatives to improve his game. Public reports suggest that he studied at Modesty School, also known as Dr. Mukteshwar Sinha Modesty School, in Tajpur, Bihar. His dedication and disciplined training have helped him become one of India's most exciting young cricket talents.

Notable Mentions

Apart from the five players on this list, a few other Indian cricketers also chose to focus on cricket after completing their school education. They did not pursue college studies and instead dedicated themselves to building successful cricket careers.

According to media reports, Ishant Sharma completed his Class 12 education before focusing fully on cricket after earning a place in the Indian team. Shikhar Dhawan completed his Class 10 education and later chose cricket over higher studies. Jasprit Bumrah also finished his Class 12 education but did not attend college, deciding to concentrate on his cricket career.

Choosing cricket over higher education was not an easy decision for these players. They spent years working hard in domestic cricket, improving their skills, and preparing themselves for the highest level of the game. Their success is the result of discipline, dedication, and continuous effort.

Today, these cricketers are admired not only for their achievements on the field but also for their determination to follow their dreams. Their journeys continue to inspire young athletes across India while reminding them that every career path should be chosen carefully based on their own goals and circumstances.