7 Cricket Stars Who Bat With Their Non-Dominant Hand

Every cricket fan knows whether a player bats right-handed or left-handed.

But what if we told you some of the game's biggest stars don't actually use that hand in everyday life?

From Sachin Tendulkar to Sourav Ganguly, several cricket legends built their careers batting with the opposite hand to their natural dominance—a phenomenon known as cross-dominance.

Here are seven famous examples.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar may be the greatest right-handed batter cricket has ever seen, but off the field, he is naturally left-handed for many everyday activities, including writing and eating.

It's a surprising fact about a player whose right-handed batting brought him 100 international centuries and more runs than anyone else in the history of the game.

2. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly's elegant left-handed batting became his trademark, but the former India captain is naturally right-handed.

According to popular stories, Ganguly started batting left-handed while using his elder brother's cricket equipment. Whatever the reason, cricket fans are thankful it happened—the result was one of the most beautiful cover drives the game has ever seen.

3. David Warner

One of Australia's most destructive openers, David Warner is naturally right-handed in everyday life but bats left-handed.

That unusual combination certainly worked out well. Warner went on to score thousands of international runs and became a key figure in Australia's success across formats.

4. Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has delivered some of cricket's most unforgettable moments, from World Cup heroics to Ashes miracles.

What's less known is that Stokes is naturally right-handed but bats left-handed. His success is proof that the hand you write with doesn't necessarily determine how you'll play cricket.

5. Michael Hussey

Nicknamed "Mr. Cricket," Michael Hussey was one of Australia's most reliable batters.

Despite being naturally right-handed, Hussey batted left-handed throughout his international career and became one of the most respected middle-order players of his era.

6. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting is perhaps the most interesting name on this list because he represents the opposite case.

The Australian legend was naturally left-handed as a child but learned to bat right-handed. The decision helped shape one of the greatest careers in cricket history, with more than 27,000 international runs and multiple World Cup titles.

7. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson's calm personality and elegant technique have made him one of modern cricket's most admired players.

While he bats right-handed, Williamson is naturally left-handed when performing several everyday tasks, making him another fascinating example of cross-dominance in elite sport.

Why Does This Happen?

Experts call it cross-dominance or mixed-handedness. Some people naturally prefer different hands for different activities. In sport, factors such as coaching, comfort, available equipment, and childhood habits can influence which side a player chooses.

For cricket fans, it offers a fascinating reminder that not everything is as it appears.

The next time you watch a left-hander crunch a cover drive or a right-hander play a perfect straight drive, remember: the hand holding the bat might not be the player's dominant one at all.