5 cricketers whose looks changed over the years

Cricket careers are long, and players often look very different by the time they step away from the game or return after a break. Some changes come from fitness overhauls, others from medical procedures or health challenges.

Five cricketers in particular have drawn widespread attention for how dramatically their appearances have shifted, whether through weight loss, surgery or the visible toll of illness.

Here are the five cricketers whose looks changed dramatically over the years:

Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan, born on October 22, 1997, in Mumbai, was dropped from India’s Test squad for the 2025 England tour, with fitness and weight management cited as a key reason. He was also excluded from the IPL 2025 auction on similar grounds. Selectors and observers felt his body weight was standing between him and a consistent international career, and Sarfaraz took that feedback seriously.

He lost approximately 10 kg within six weeks, with the total reaching 17 kg over just over two months. His father and coach Naushad Khan told the Hindustan Times that the family cut out roti, rice, sugar, flour and bakery products, replacing meals with grilled fish, chicken, boiled eggs, salads, broccoli, cucumber, avocados, green tea and green coffee. The results were visible on the field, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, Sarfaraz scored 329 runs at a strike rate of over 203, including three fifties and a maiden T20 century. Chennai Super Kings signed him at his base price of Rs 75 lakh in December 2025, his first IPL contract after two successive unsold auctions.

Ben Stokes

Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has undergone a noticeable change in appearance over recent years. He received follicular unit extraction hair transplants at the Wimpole Clinic to address premature thinning, a procedure that visibly altered his hairline.

Beyond that, Stokes suffered a serious injury in the nets when a cricket ball struck him directly in the face, causing fractures around his eye socket and broader facial damage. The injury required reconstructive surgery, with four metal plates and sixteen screws used to stabilise the affected area. His face has appeared structurally different in subsequent public appearances.

Vinod Kambli

Vinod Kambli was one of the most naturally gifted batters of the 1990s, a flamboyant figure who shared a famous unbroken partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in school cricket. His appearance today is a stark contrast to those years. At a public appearance at Wankhede Stadium, he required assistance from two handlers to walk.

Medical updates indicate he is dealing with neurological complications linked to a persistent brain clot, which has affected his memory and mobility. He relies on a stick for everyday movement. His wife has dismissed some of the more extreme reports about his condition as exaggerated, while Tendulkar and close friends have organised a support system to assist with his rehabilitation.

Arjuna Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga captained Sri Lanka to their historic 1996 Cricket World Cup title and was widely recognised during his playing days for his robust, heavy-set build. That image changed significantly after he underwent bariatric surgery, which produced a dramatic and publicly visible reduction in his weight.

Indian politician Shashi Tharoor posted a photograph alongside Ranatunga in July 2026 that revealed the extent of the transformation. The image prompted widespread reaction from the cricket community, many of whom found the change striking when compared with his well-known appearance from his playing years.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma‘s physical transformation became a talking point after he appeared at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2025 looking noticeably leaner. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Rohit had shed 10 kg through rigorous training and sustained discipline.

The photos from the awards event went viral, with fans and media widely commenting on his healthier and more defined appearance. The transformation drew attention not just for the visual change but for the level of commitment it reflected from a senior player at this stage of his career.