Javagal Srinath travels on Bengaluru Metro with trolley bag, fans praise former India pacer's simplicity

Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath quietly travelling through Bengaluru with a trolley bag has given cricket fans something to talk about. A photograph of Javagal Srinath travelling on the Namma Metro has gone viral on social media, with fans praising the ex-India cricketer for keeping a low profile despite having been one of the country's most prominent fast bowlers.

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There is no cricket stadium in the picture. No crowd is gathered around him and there are no cameras following him. Srinath appears to be just another passenger making his way through the city. That ordinary scene is what has caught the attention of cricket followers.

Javagal Srinath spotted on Namma Metro

In the photograph doing the rounds online, Srinath can be seen wearing jeans and a light-blue shirt while standing inside a Bengaluru Metro coach. His trolley bag is beside him.

For a player who spent years representing India at the highest level, the sight is strikingly low-key.

Srinath was once a central figure in India's pace attack and earned the nickname 'Mysore Express' during his playing days. He represented India in 67 Tests and 229 ODIs, becoming one of the country's leading fast bowlers of his generation.

Yet the viral image has little to do with his cricketing achievements. Fans have instead focused on how normally he appears to be travelling around his hometown.

Javagal Srinath fans admire former India pacer's simple lifestyle

The photograph quickly prompted reactions from cricket fans on social media. Some users claimed they had spotted Srinath around Bengaluru on previous occasions and said he has often appeared comfortable going about his daily life without a large entourage.

The discussion also brought up other Karnataka cricket stars, including Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Venkatesh Prasad. One social media reaction described the group as representing an era in Karnataka cricket where major sporting success was accompanied by a notably understated public persona.

For fans, Srinath's Metro ride became more than just a photograph. It was a reminder that international fame does not always mean living a highly visible celebrity life.

Not the first time Srinath has surprised fans

The Bengaluru Metro picture is not the first photograph of Srinath's everyday life to attract attention online. An earlier image had shown the former India cricketer at Mysuru railway station with a bag on his back. That photograph also received attention from fans who were impressed by his seemingly ordinary way of travelling.

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The latest image has sparked a similar reaction. However, the exact date when the Metro photograph was taken could not be independently verified. The picture surfaced on social media and was subsequently shared widely.

From India's pace spearhead to ICC match referee

Srinath retired from international cricket but continued his association with the sport. After ending his playing career, he became an ICC match referee and has remained involved in international cricket in an official capacity.

For Indian cricket fans who watched him during the 1990s, however, Srinath remains best remembered as the fast bowler who shouldered a significant share of India's pace-bowling duties at a time when the team was still looking for a settled fast-bowling attack.

His Metro appearance offers a very different picture. There are no wickets, scorecards or celebrations involved. Just Srinath, his luggage and a routine journey through Bengaluru.

And that, perhaps, is exactly why the image has resonated with so many cricket fans.