Beyond cricket, many players have made a name for themselves in Bollywood. Some have even starred in popular TV shows and serials. Here’s a look at five cricketers who have taken on significant roles in movies or television.
Salil Ankola
Former Indian cricketer Salil Ankola found success in the entertainment industry, making a notable impact on both television and film. He appeared in several TV shows and movies, earning praise for his performances in both mediums.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Salil Ankola |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1968 |
| Place of Birth | Solapur, Maharashtra, India |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| International Debut | Test: 1990 vs. West Indies |
| ODI: 1990 vs. New Zealand | |
| Test Career | Matches: 1, Wickets: 3, Average: 36.33 |
| ODI Career | Matches: 20, Wickets: 29, Average: 39.89 |
| TV Shows | Show Name |
| “Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki” | |
| “Bigg Boss 1” | |
| “Chhoti Si Zindagi” |
Sunil Gavaskar
He was the first batsman to reach the milestone of ten thousand runs in Test cricket. As a former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar was widely regarded for his masterful batting technique. However, his talents extended beyond the cricket field—he showcased impressive acting skills in the 1980 Marathi film Savli Premachi.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sunil Manohar Gavaskar |
| Born | July 10, 1949, Mumbai, India |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Test Debut | March 6, 1971, vs. West Indies |
| ODI Debut | July 13, 1974, vs. England |
| Test Matches | 125 |
| ODI Matches | 108 |
| Test Runs | 10,122 |
| ODI Runs | 3,092 |
| Centuries (Tests/ODIs) | 34 (Tests), 1 (ODIs) |
| Significant Achievement | First player to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket |
| Post-Retirement Role | Cricket Commentator, Analyst |
| TV Shows Hosted | Sunil Gavaskar Presents (cricket analysis), The Champions (talk show) |
| Authored Books | Sunny Days, Idols, Runs ‘n’ Ruins |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (1980), Arjuna Award (1975), ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009) |
Navjot Singh Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu was a complete opener during his playing days, known for his aggressive batting style and impressive fielding skills throughout his international cricket career. Beyond cricket, he gained fame as a participant in Bigg Boss 6 in 2012 and as a key member of the popular TV show Comedy Nights with Kapil on Colors.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Cricket Career | |
| Role | Opening Batsman |
| International Debut | 1983 (ODI) vs Australia, 1983 (Test) vs West Indies |
| Last International | 1998 (ODI) vs Pakistan, 1999 (Test) vs New Zealand |
| Test Matches | 51 matches, 3202 runs, 9 centuries, 15 fifties |
| ODI Matches | 136 matches, 4413 runs, 6 centuries, 33 fifties |
| Nickname | “Sixer Sidhu” |
| Domestic Teams | Punjab |
| Major Achievements | – Key contributor in India’s 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cup campaigns |
| – Notable for hitting sixes and performing under pressure | |
| Television Career | |
| Debut Show | Cricket Controversies |
| Comedy Shows | – The Great Indian Laughter Challenge (Judge) |
| – Comedy Nights with Kapil (Permanent Guest) | |
| Cricket Commentary | Known for his colorful phrases and unique commentary style |
| Reality Shows | – Bigg Boss 6 (Participant) |
| Political Career | – Elected Member of Parliament (MP) |
| – Held ministerial positions in Punjab | |
| Other Roles | – Motivational Speaker |
| Notable Traits | Witty, charismatic, known for his “Sidhu-isms” |
Vinod Kambli
He appeared alongside Sunil Shetty and Sanjay Dutt in the movie Annarth, earning praise for his acting skills. However, his foray into acting was short-lived due to a lack of opportunities from production houses. During his cricketing career, Kambli was widely celebrated for his exceptional batting prowess.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vinod Ganpat Kambli |
| Born | January 18, 1972, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Test Debut | January 29, 1993, vs England |
| ODI Debut | October 18, 1991, vs Pakistan |
| Last Test | November 27, 1995, vs New Zealand |
| Last ODI | October 29, 2000, vs Sri Lanka |
| Test Matches | 17 |
| ODI Matches | 104 |
| Test Runs | 1,084 |
| ODI Runs | 2,477 |
| Notable Performances | Back-to-back double centuries in Tests; part of record 664-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar |
| TV Appearances | Participated in reality shows like Bigg Boss and Sach Ka Saamna |
| Acting Roles | Acted in Marathi films and TV shows; appeared in Hindi films like Annarth and Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas |
| Post-Cricket Career | Cricket commentator, coach, and speaker |
| Awards & Recognition | Named in Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year (1994) |
Ajay Jadeja
The once ‘chocolaty boy’ of Indian cricket, Ajay Jadeja, was a fan favorite, especially among female admirers, thanks to his charming looks. Beyond the cricket field, he dabbled in acting, appearing in movies like Khel and Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath. In 2006, Jadeja showcased his dancing skills by participating in the first season of the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
The former Chocolaty boy of Indian cricket was famous among the female fans for his looks. Ajay Jadeja has acted in several movies including Khel, Pal Pal Dil Ke Saat and others. He also participated in Jhalakh Dikhlaja (Session1) – a dance reality show in 2006.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ajaysinhji Daulatsinhji Jadeja |
| Born | February 1, 1971, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium |
| International Debut | ODI Debut: February 28, 1992, vs Sri Lanka Test Debut: November 13, 1992, vs South Africa |
| Last International Match | ODI: June 3, 2000, vs Pakistan Test: December 10, 1998, vs New Zealand |
| Career Stats | Tests: 15 matches, 576 runs, Average: 26.18 ODIs: 196 matches, 5,359 runs, Average: 37.47 |
| Key Achievements | Known for his dynamic middle-order batting, exceptional fielding, and captaincy in ODIs. |
| Match-Fixing Scandal | Banned in 2000 for alleged involvement, ban lifted in 2003. |
| TV Career | – Cricket commentator and analyst – Judge on dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa |
| Acting | Featured in the Bollywood movie Khel (2003). |
| Other Ventures | Regular on sports talk shows, contributing as an expert and panelist for major cricketing events. |
