The top 10 cricketers who acted in Bollywood are mentioned in the article below. Recently, Shikhar Dhawan, who has become India’s captain for the ODI series against South Africa, has also made his debut in Bollywood. On Wednesday, along with Huma Qureshi, he was seen in the trailer for the upcoming movie Double XL on Instagram.
Cricket and Bollywood are often called the twin engines of the Indian entertainment industry. The fact that cricket is a common theme in Hindi movies has also been observed. But it was uncommon to see well-known foreign actors in the films. We have discovered, however, a handful of cricket players who have appeared in Bollywood films. The top ten cricket players who have performed in the film industry are listed in this post since we all know how talented these athletes are at acting.
Top 10 cricketers who acted in Bollywood as of 2024
Here we present the detailed list of the top 10 cricketers who have acted in Bollywood:-
1. Yuvraj Singh
RephraseYuvraj Singh, a knowledgeable cricketer, has amassed a total of 11,778 runs and captured 148 wickets in his international cricket career. Additionally, he has showcased his talent in the Punjabi films “Putt Sardaran De” and “Mehndi Shagna Di,” both of which he starred in at the young age of 11 in 1992.
The recipient of the Arjuna Award has not only worked as an actor in movies but also served as a voiceover artist in the animated film ‘Jumbo’ released in 2008.
2. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is a world-cup winning captain, in 1983 India won the First World Cup in cricket history. He has been featured in various movies. He has acted in Chain Kulli ki Main Kulli, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, and Iqbal. All of these movies have become very famous. In all of these movies, he was seen to be played as a jovial character who was always a down-to-earth person.
3. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, the famous cricketer who was loved by everyone has also made appearances in Bollywood movies. He has acted in the movies named Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, and two Punjabi films named ‘Bhaji in Problem’ and ‘Second Hand Husband’.
In the same scene where Kapil Dev was seen in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Harbhajan Singh was also been seen. He made his first lead role in the movie name Friendship in 2021, it is a sports comedy movie, directed by John Paul Raj and Sham Surya. The Indian off-spinner has also acted in the Karthik Yogi-directed Dikkiloona’.
4. Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, one of the best fast-bowling all-rounders India has ever produced, now he is a known voice in the commentary. He made his film debut in 2022 named ‘Cobra’. It is written and directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu, this movie is a psychological thriller where we see Pathan playing the role of an Interpol agent and receiving immense praise on social media.
5. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar is a legendary Indian batsman. He made his debut in a lead role in a 1980 movie named Savli Premachi. Although the movie did not perform well, he again made his comeback in the movie Malamaal along with Naseeruddin Shah, where we see Sunil Gavaskar defeat Naseeruddin’s character Rajkumar in a friendly celebrity cricket match.
6. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, a highly acclaimed sports personality, represents the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League and Delhi in first-class cricket. Breaking new ground, Shikhar is preparing to step into the world of acting with his debut film, “Double XL,” alongside Huma Qureshi and Sonakshi Sinha. The film is scheduled to release on November 4.
Expressing his thoughts on his role, Shikhar shared, “As an athlete representing the nation, life is always incredibly busy. One of my favorite pastimes is watching entertaining films. When this opportunity came my way and I heard the story, it left a profound impact on me. It carries a beautiful message for society as a whole, and I hope it inspires countless young girls and boys to relentlessly pursue their dreams.”
7. Vinod Kambli
Vinod Kambli, a former Indian cricketer, made his mark as a left-handed middle-order batsman representing the national team. In addition to his cricketing career, Kambli has showcased his expertise as a commentator on various television channels. During the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he served as a cricket expert for a Marathi news channel. Apart from his involvement in cricket, Kambli has ventured into the realm of entertainment, participating in reality shows and featuring in a few television serials. Furthermore, he has made appearances as an actor in films such as “Annarth,” “Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat,” and a Kannada film titled “Bettanagere.”
8. Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja, a prominent figure in Indian cricket during the ’90s, left a lasting impression on the field. One of his most memorable performances was his crucial cameo in the quarter-final match against Pakistan during the 1996 Cricket World Cup in Bengaluru. Representing India, he contributed significantly in 15 Test matches and 196 One Day Internationals.
Beyond cricket, Jadeja explored the world of acting. He appeared in the 2003 film “Khel,” sharing the screen with Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty. Additionally, he showcased his acting skills in the 2009 movie “Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat,” directed by V.K. Kumar. Furthermore, Jadeja took part in the celebrity dance show “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa” as a contestant. Fans also caught a glimpse of him in Abhishek Kapoor’s film “Kai Po Che!” in a cricket commentator role, playing himself in a cameo appearance.
9. Yograj Singh
Yograj Singh, the father of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, is a retired cricketer himself. He represented India in one Test match and six One Day Internationals as a right-arm fast-medium bowler. In addition to his cricket career, Yograj has also ventured into Hindi films, appearing in films such as “Teen Thay Bhai,” “Singh is Bling,” and “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.”
10. Salil Ankola
Salil Ankola may not have achieved great success in the realm of cricket, but he successfully established a presence on Indian television. One of his notable roles was in the TV series “Chahat Aur Nafrat.” Additionally, he garnered attention through his appearances in films like “Kurukshetra” and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne.” However, it was his involvement in the renowned horror show “Ssshhhh… Koi Hai” that brought him considerable fame. Salil still holds dear the fact that he made his test debut in the same match as the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
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FAQ
Is there an official “Top 10” list of cricketer actors?
No, there isn’t a universally recognized list. The rankings can vary depending on the source and criteria used (acting experience, success, etc.).
Who are some famous cricketers who have acted in Bollywood?
Some well-known names include:
Kapil Dev (Legendary All-rounder) – Made cameo appearances in movies like “83” and “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.”
Yuvraj Singh (Star Batsman) – Acted as a child artist in Punjabi films and did a dance sequence in “Main Tera Hero.”
Ajay Jadeja (Former Captain & Fielder) – Starred in movies like “Khel” after his retirement.
Sunil Gavaskar (Legendary Batsman) – Had cameo appearances in a few films.
Do these cricketers play lead roles?
Most often, no. Cricketers usually make cameo appearances, play supporting roles, or appear in dance sequences leveraging their popularity.
Why do cricketers act in Bollywood?
There can be several reasons:
Passion for acting: Some might genuinely enjoy performing.
Fan following: Their cricket fame can attract audiences to the movie.
New challenge: Acting can be a way to test themselves outside of cricket.
Are they successful actors?
Success is subjective. While some cricketers might deliver decent performances, acting isn’t their primary focus.
Are there any cricketers who are good actors?
Opinions vary, but some cricketers might surprise you with their acting chops. It’s best to watch their movies and decide for yourself.
Which cricketer has the most successful Bollywood career?
Salman Khan, while primarily an actor, also played a cricketer in the movie “Sultan”. His massive fan following and acting prowess contribute to his successful Bollywood career.
