Shortest Cricketers in the World 2024: Some people believe the best cricketers are usually tall and big. But it’s crucial to remember that there are fantastic players in history who were just as successful despite being shorter. These compact players often catch their opponents off guard, proving to be more capable than they might seem.
Shortest Cricketers in the World 2024
Now, let’s take a look at a special list of the five shortest cricketers in 2024. Join us in exploring the intriguing world of cricket’s “little masters,” where skill matters more than size, and passion takes the lead.
1. Temba Bavuma
- Date of Birth: 17 May 1990
- Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
- Role: Middle-order batter
At the top of our list is Temba Bavuma, standing at just 5.3 feet. He’s made a name for himself in South African cricket with impressive batting and exceptional fielding skills. Bavuma’s international cricket journey has seen a remarkable rise, and his appointment as the captain of South Africa’s white-ball cricket team has proven to be a smart decision. Despite being one of the shortest cricketers in history at 5.3 feet, he has effectively led the team and shown composure in tough situations.
In the 2023 Cricket ODI World Cup, Bavuma led his team to the semi-finals where they faced Australia. Although his team performed well throughout the tournament, they unfortunately lost in the semi-final. In many matches, his team scored over 400 runs, leading experts to believe they could win the World Cup. However, Bavuma’s team couldn’t secure victory in the crucial semi-final, despite high expectations.
2. Mushfiqur Rahim
- Date of Birth: 9 May 1987 (age 36)
- Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
- Role: Wicket-keeper-batsman
Securing the second spot on our list is Mushfiqur Rahim, standing at a height of just 5.3 feet. This skilled wicketkeeper-batsman hails from Bangladesh and has not only represented his country but also captained the national cricket team until May 2013. Rahim made an early Test debut on May 26, 2005, at the age of 16 during England’s tour of Bangladesh.
In January 2010, he achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first Test century, an impressive feat against a formidable Indian Test team. At that time, it was also the fastest century by a Bangladeshi player. Another notable moment in Rahim’s career occurred on March 11, 2013, when he made history by scoring the first double hundred in Bangladeshi Test cricket. His innings included exactly 200 runs off 321 balls, featuring 22 fours and a six.
3. Mominul Haque
- Date of Birth: 29 September 1991
- Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.61 m)
- Role: Batsman
Taking the third spot on our list is Mominul Haque, standing at a height of just 5.3 feet. Born on September 29, 1991, he mainly represents Dhaka Division and has also played for Sylhet Royals in the Bangladesh Premier League. Haque made his Test debut against Sri Lanka on March 8, 2013, in Galle, Sri Lanka. Impressively, he scored a half-century on his debut and totaled 156 runs in 3 innings during his first Test series, boasting an average of 52.00.
In the 2012 Bangladesh Premier League, Haque earned the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance, scoring 53* off 28 balls for the Barisal Burners against the Khulna Royal Bengals, leading his team to a 4-wicket victory. In the five Test matches he played, Haque accumulated 584 runs, and in the 12 ODIs, he scored 205 runs. With a height of 1.61 m, he stands as the third shortest cricketer in the world.
4. Kedar Jadhav
- Date of Birth: 26 March 1985
- Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
- Role: All-rounder, occasional wicket-keeper
Ranked fourth on our list is Kedar Jadhav, standing at a height of just 5.4 feet. He represents Maharashtra, Kolhapur Tuskers, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in domestic cricket, and he has also played for the Indian national cricket team. Jadhav, a right-handed batter, occasionally takes on wicketkeeping duties and bowls right-arm off-spin.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has been part of various teams, including Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils, and Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Jadhav made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India against Sri Lanka on November 16, 2014, and his T20I debut against Zimbabwe on July 17, 2015. He gained recognition, ranking seventh in The Times of India’s Top 20 Most Desirable Men of Maharashtra in 2017. Notably, during the 2018 Asia Cup Final, he contributed 23 runs, playing a crucial role in helping India secure the trophy for the seventh time.
5. Prithvi Shaw
- Date of Birth: 9 November 1999
- Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
- Role: Opening batter
Prithvi Shaw, standing at a modest 5.4 feet, holds the fifth position among the shortest cricketers. Known for his explosive batting, he has left a significant mark on Indian cricket, representing the national team in all formats and playing for Mumbai in domestic cricket. Shaw’s captaincy led the Indian Under-19 team to triumph in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. He made cricket history by becoming the second-youngest Indian to score a Test century and the youngest to achieve this on Test debut, drawing parallels with the iconic Sachin Tendulkar.
Beginning with a standout debut in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy semi-finals, where he earned the Man of the Match title, Shaw’s domestic career flourished. His prolific start continued with a century in his debut Duleep Trophy, matching Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Despite a doping violation suspension in 2019, Shaw’s impact in the cricketing world remains noteworthy, and his early partnership with Pushkar Sharma in the Mumbai Under-16 team during the 2014–15 season adds a unique chapter to his journey.
