Top 10 Shortest Cricketers in Cricket History (2025 Updated List)

Cricket is often seen as a game of strength and stamina, but history proves that greatness doesn’t depend on height. Many short-statured cricketers have achieved incredible success, relying on timing, reflexes, and agility. Their compact builds often give them better balance and sharper movement, making them exceptional batsmen, fielders, and wicketkeepers.

In 2025, Prithvi Shaw continues to be the shortest active Indian cricketer, standing at 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm). Despite his size, he’s one of the most explosive batters in the country. Shaw captained India to victory in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, scored a century on his Test debut, and is often compared to the great Sachin Tendulkar.

 Top 10 Shortest Indian Cricketers (2025 Updated List) 

| Rank | Player Name                     | Height (Feet) | Height (CM) | Role

| 1    | **Gundappa Vishwanath** | 5’3″          | 161 cm      | Batsman

| 2    | **Parthiv Patel**                  | 5’3″          | 161 cm      | Wicket-Keeper Batsman

| 3    | **Prithvi Shaw**                   | 5’4″          | 163 cm      | Batsman

| 4    | **Kedar Jadhav**                 | 5’4″          | 163 cm      | All-Rounder

| 5    | **Ramesh Powar**              | 5’4″          | 163 cm      | Bowler

| 6    | **Sunil Gavaskar**               | 5’5″          | 165 cm      | Batsman

| 7    | **Sachin Tendulkar**           | 5’5″          | 165 cm      | Batsman

| 8    | **Ajinkya Rahane**      | 5’6″          | 168 cm      | Batsman

| 9    | **Kuldeep Yadav**       | 5’6″          | 168 cm      | Bowler

| 10   | **Ishan Kishan**        | 5’6″          | 168 cm      | Wicket-Keeper Batsman

Top 10 Shortest Cricketers in World Cricket History  

1. Kruger van Wyk – The Compact Kiwi Keeper  

• Height: 4 feet 9 inches (145 cm)

• Country: New Zealand
   Kruger van Wyk holds the record as the shortest cricketer in history. Despite his small build, his outstanding wicketkeeping and determination earned him a respectable place in New Zealand’s international team.

2. Tich Cornford – England’s Tiny Wall  

• Height: 5 feet 0 inches (152 cm)

• Country: England
  Cornford’s height was never a hurdle to his success. His agility, glove work, and consistency made him one of England’s most reliable wicketkeepers during his era.

3. Mushfiqur Rahim – Bangladesh’s Backbone  

• Height: 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)

• Country: Bangladesh
  Mushfiqur Rahim has been one of Bangladesh’s most dependable players. His exceptional skills as a wicketkeeper and his ability to score crucial runs have made him the heart of the team.

4. Mominul Haque – The Compact Bangladeshi Batsman  

• Height: 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)

• • Height: 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm)

  • Country: India
    Vishwanath, nicknamed Vishy, was admired for his elegant stroke play and perfect timing. Despite being one of India’s shortest players, he stood tall among cricket’s finest.Country: Bangladesh
    Known for his calm approach and classic technique, Mominul has been Bangladesh’s rock in Test cricket for years, proving that elegance and temperament outweigh size.

    5. Gundappa Vishwanath – India’s Graceful Genius 

    • Height: 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm)

    • Country: India
      Vishwanath, nicknamed Vishy, was admired for his elegant stroke play and perfect timing. Despite being one of India’s shortest players, he stood tall among cricket’s finest.

    6. Parthiv Patel – India’s Young Wicketkeeper  

  • Height: 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm)

  • Country: India
    Parthiv debuted at just 17 and went on to play for India across formats. His quick reflexes and positive attitude defined his long domestic and IPL career.

  7. Prithvi Shaw – India’s Explosive Opener  

  • Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)

  • Country: India
    Known for his fearless batting, Shaw’s short height gives him a low center of gravity, helping him play attacking strokes with control. His rise through the ranks at a young age has been phenomenal.

  8. Kedar Jadhav – India’s Utility All-Rounder  

  • Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)

  • Country: India
    Jadhav’s handy off-spin and clutch batting made him one of the smartest limited-overs players for India. His compact frame adds to his agility in the field.

  9. Temba Bavuma – South Africa’s Determined Leader  

  • Height: 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)

  • Country: South Africa
    Bavuma is known for his leadership, consistency, and strong defensive technique. As South Africa’s captain, he’s a role model for perseverance and professionalism.

  10. Sunil Gavaskar – India’s Little Master  

  • Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)

  • Country: India
    Gavaskar’s stature didn’t stop him from dominating the world’s best fast bowlers. His flawless technique and fearless batting made him one of cricket’s all-time greats

  Why Short Cricketers Excel in the Game  

  Shorter cricketers often have physical advantages that help them excel:

  • Better balance and coordination due to lower center of gravity.

  • Quick footwork, especially against spin bowling.

  • Superior agility for fielding and wicketkeeping.

  • Compact batting stance, offering improved shot control.

  Legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Don Bradman (5’8”) have shown that stature never limits greatness

• FAQs: Shortest Cricketers in Cricket History  

  Q1. Who is the shortest cricketer in the world?
  A:Kruger van Wyk from New Zealand is the shortest international cricketer ever, standing at 4 feet 9 inches (145 cm).

  Q2. Who is the shortest Indian cricketer?
  A:Gundappa Vishwanath, at 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm), is one of the shortest and most elegant Indian batsmen ever

  Q3. Did height affect these players’ performances?
  A: Not at all. Most short cricketers turned their compact build into an advantage — improving agility, footwork, and batting stability.

  Q4. Who are some other short cricket legends?
  A: Apart from Vishwanath and Gavaskar, players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Prithvi Shaw, and Temba Bavuma have shown that height never defines talent.