When former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan recently announced his pro tennis debut at an ATP Challenger event, fans around the world did a double take. But he’s not alone in this sporting switcheroo. India, too, has had its fair share of athletes who’ve broken records in one sport and dabbled with another with equal enthusiasm. Let’s take a look at five Indian sports stars who went from owning one game to exploring another.
Yuzvendra Chahal – Chess to Cricket
Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal is also a chess prodigyCourtesy Instagram/Indian Cricket Team
Many know Yuzvendra Chahal as the wily Indian leg-spinner who can make even the best batsmen sweat. But few know that before cricket, Chahal was a chess prodigy. He represented India at the Asian Youth Chess Championships and was known for his strategic prowess long before he started playing mind games with batsmen. His chess background turned out to be the perfect training ground for reading the game and planning his moves in cricket.
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Kapil Dev - Cricket to Golf
Kapil Dev has represented India in senior golf tournamentsCourtesy: Getty Images
After ruling the cricket field, Kapil Dev swapped his bat for a golf club and found a new love on the greens. The World Cup-winning all-rounder didn’t just play golf for fun—he got really good at it, competing at a semi-professional level and even representing India in senior golf tournaments. With his natural swing and flair, he’s become a standout ambassador for golf in India.
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Pawan Mann - Boxing to MMA
Pawan Mann made an impressive transition from boxing to MMACourtesy Instagram/Pawan Maan
Pawan Mann didn’t stop after making waves in the boxing ring; he took his punches to the MMA cage. Known for his grit and power, Mann’s cross-training move has taken his career up a notch, blending boxing’s precision with MMA’s intensity. His new fighting style proves he’s always ready to go the extra round.
Subimal “Chuni” Goswami – Football to Cricket
Chuni Goswami excelled at football and cricket
Subimal “Chuni” Goswami is perhaps one of India's most iconic multi-sport athletes. Renowned for his football skills, he captained the Indian national team and led them to significant victories, including a gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games. Goswami's talent wasn't confined to football alone. He was also a talented cricketer. He represented Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and made substantial contributions with both bat and ball.
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Yuvraj Singh - Cricket to Golf
After retiring from cricket, Yuvraj Singh decided to take a swing at golf
We all know Yuvraj Singh as the explosive batsman who made us cheer and cry during those nail-biting cricket matches. After retiring from cricket, he decided to take a swing at golf. Singh traded his bat for a golf club and quickly began to make waves in the golf circuit. He participated in celebrity tournaments and has even talked about the challenges of mastering a new sport.
