Rohit Sharma TV Debut: 20 Cricketers Who Entered Showbiz
Rohit Sharma is set for his TV debut. Take a look at 20 cricketers, including Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan, who entered showbiz before him.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma is preparing for a new chapter away from the cricket field. After stepping away from T20 internationals and Test cricket, the former India captain is set to make his television debut with a show of his own. The cricketer will enter the entertainment space as part of Sony Pictures Networks India's expanding Hindi entertainment slate. While the makers have chosen to keep the show's format and other details under wraps for now, a recently released teaser has offered viewers a glimpse of what could be an entertaining new side of Rohit.
The teaser, which runs for more than a minute and 40 seconds, places Rohit in the middle of a lively interaction with fans. However, instead of focusing on cricket, the conversation quickly turns towards one of his most recognisable viral lines. Fans can be seen enthusiastically approaching the cricketer and asking him to repeat, “Koi bhi garden mein nahi ghumega”. The phrase, which became widely associated with Rohit, soon became the centre of the interaction.
Eventually, Rohit's patience appeared to run out. Rather than entertaining another request, he walked away, bringing the humorous teaser to an abrupt end. The promo deliberately revealed little about the actual show. Sony Pictures Networks India has yet to disclose the title, format or premiere date, leaving audiences to speculate about what Rohit's first entertainment venture will look like.
The project marks an interesting transition for the cricket star, who has spent much of his career in the spotlight for his on-field performances. One might be surprised to learn about Rohit's next venture; however, he's not the first cricketer to venture into showbiz, as several have taken the big leap after their careers or midway through them.
If you are wondering about which cricketers have entered showbiz, we have you covered.
Without further ado, here’s the list:
1. Kapil Dev
The legendary all-rounder and captain of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team has made several appearances in Hindi films and television programmes. His film appearances include ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, ‘Iqbal’, ‘Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii’, and ‘Dillagi... Yeh Dillagi’. He has generally appeared as himself or in cameo roles rather than pursuing a conventional acting career. His association with cinema became particularly interesting when he appeared in ‘83’, the film based on India's historic 1983 World Cup triumph. While Ranveer Singh portrayed Kapil in the film, the real Kapil made a cameo himself.
Kapil Dev has also been involved in television and entertainment appearances over the years, making him one of the earliest Indian cricket stars to comfortably cross into the showbiz space.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was another Indian cricket legend who experimented with acting. The former India captain played the lead in the Marathi film ‘Saavli Premachi’, making an unusually ambitious move for a sportsman of his stature. He later appeared as himself in the Hindi comedy ‘Maalamaal’, which starred Naseeruddin Shah, Poonam Dhillon and Satish Shah. He also lent his voice to music, including a Marathi song that drew parallels between cricket and life.
3. Salim Durani
Salim Durani was among the earliest Indian Test cricketers to make a serious appearance in mainstream Hindi cinema. The charismatic all-rounder, famous for his ability to hit sixes on demand, appeared opposite Parveen Babi in the 1973 film ‘Charitra’.
4. Sandeep Patil
Sandeep Patil went considerably further than a conventional cameo. The former Indian batter played the lead role in the 1985 Hindi film ‘Kabhie Ajnabi The’. The movie revolved around a cricketer and featured Poonam Dhillon and Debashree Roy in prominent roles. The movie also featured appearances from several cricketers, making it a particularly unusual meeting point between India's cricket and film communities. Sandeep Patil later remained associated with the entertainment world through other screen appearances.
5. Syed Kirmani
Syed Kirmani, India's celebrated wicketkeeper from the 1970s and 1980s, also tried acting. Syed Kirmani appeared in ‘Kabhie Ajnabi The’, where he took on a role rather than simply appearing as himself. His presence added another genuine cricketer to a film already built around the world of cricket.
6. Kirti Azad
Kirti Azad added a completely different chapter to the story. A member of India's 1983 World Cup-winning squad, Kirti Azad made his acting debut with ‘Kirket’ in 2019. The film was inspired by his own long-running battle to establish the Bihar Cricket Association and therefore carried a strong connection to his real-life experiences.
Unlike cricketers who simply make guest appearances, Azad took on the central role. The project effectively allowed him to revisit his cricketing past through cinema, turning experiences from his own life into the foundation of a fictionalised screen story.
7. Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri is another former Indian cricketer with a surprisingly early connection to cinema. Shastri appeared in ‘Kabhie Ajnabi The’, joining several other Indian cricketers in the film. He also has an uncredited appearance associated with the 1989 film ‘Joshilaay’.
8. Salil Ankola
Salil Ankola perhaps has one of the most substantial post-cricket entertainment careers on this list. Salil Ankola made his Test debut for India in the same match as Sachin Tendulkar in 1989, but injuries restricted his international career. After leaving cricket, he reinvented himself as an actor. He appeared in Hindi films, including ‘Kurukshetra’ and ‘Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne’, and became a familiar face on television. Shows such as ‘CID’ and ‘Kora Kagaz’ helped him establish himself in the television industry. He also appeared in the inaugural season of ‘Bigg Boss’ in 2006.
9. Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja's charm and television-friendly personality made him a natural fit for entertainment. The former Indian batter acted in films such as ‘Khel’ and ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat’. He later made a cameo as himself in ‘Kai Po Che!’, appearing as a cricket commentator.
But Ajay Jadeja's television journey was arguably even more memorable. He participated in the first season of the celebrity dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ and also appeared on comedy-based programmes.
10. Vinod Kambli
Vinod Kambli's career after cricket took him into films and television. The former Indian batsman appeared in the 2002 Hindi film ‘Annarth’, which featured Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty. Vinod Kambli's popularity, flamboyant personality and long association with Indian cricket made him a recognisable face outside the sport as well.
11. Yograj Singh
Yograj Singh has had one of the more extensive acting careers among former Indian cricketers. The former India player, and father of Yuvraj Singh, moved into Punjabi and Hindi cinema after his cricket career. Over the years, he has appeared in a variety of films and television projects and became known for playing strong supporting characters. He played a major role in Farhan Akhtar's smash-hit ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’.
12. Yuvraj Singh
Long before Yuvraj Singh became one of India's most celebrated limited-overs cricketers, he had a brief brush with Punjabi cinema as a child. Yuvraj appeared as a child artist in two Punjabi films released in 1992, ‘Mehndi Shagna Di’ and ‘Putt Sardaran De’. His appearances had a special family connection, as he played younger versions of his father, Yograj Singh's, characters.
13. Sreesanth
Sreesanth went considerably beyond cameo appearances. The former India fast bowler made acting one of his post-cricket pursuits and appeared in films across multiple languages. His film credits include the Malayalam movie ‘Team 5’, the Hindi thriller ‘Aksar 2’, ‘Cabaret’, the Kannada film ‘Kempe Gowda 2’ and the Tamil film ‘Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal’. His entertainment journey has also included reality television. His appearance on ‘Bigg Boss 12’ turned him into one of the most discussed celebrity contestants of the season, while his participation in ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ showcased his dancing skills.
14. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh has been another regular presence in the entertainment industry. The former India off-spinner first appeared in films with special appearances in ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ and ‘Victory’. He later appeared in Punjabi and Hindi productions, including ‘Bhaji in Problem’ and ‘Second Hand Husband’.
His biggest acting gamble came with the Tamil film ‘Friendship’, in which he played one of the lead characters. Harbhajan has also embraced television. He participated in ‘Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena’, hosted programmes and appeared as a judge and celebrity guest on several shows.
15. Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan represents the modern generation of cricketers entering the entertainment industry. Known for his energetic personality, dancing, and social media presence, Shikhar Dhawan made his film debut with a special appearance in ‘Double XL’, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi. In 2026, he was associated with ‘Cricket Darbar’, further strengthening his presence in the entertainment space.
Shikhar Dhawan’s journey shows how the modern cricketer can become a crossover celebrity without completely stepping away from the sporting world.
16. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo took the cricket-to-entertainment transition to another level. The West Indies all-rounder has long been known for his love of music, dance and performance. Dwayne Bravo also appeared in Indian cinema. He featured in the Tamil film ‘Chithiram Pesudhadi 2’, where he made a special dance appearance. And well, who can forget his uber-popular song ‘Champion’?
17. Brett Lee
Brett Lee became one of the most prominent international cricketers to attempt a genuine acting career. The former Australian fast bowler starred in the 2015 Australian-Indian romantic comedy ‘UnIndian’, playing an English teacher who falls in love with an Indian woman. Brett Lee, who is also an excellent singer, collaborated with the late Asha Bhosle on a song.
18. Shane Warne
The Australian spin legend made several television appearances and famously appeared in the Australian sitcom ‘Kath & Kim’. After his death, his extraordinary life became the subject of the documentary ‘Shane’ and the television miniseries ‘Warnie’.
19. Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik has also built a strong television and entertainment presence in Pakistan. The former Pakistan captain has appeared regularly on television programmes and entertainment-oriented shows, becoming a familiar celebrity beyond cricket. He also appeared in the Pakistani film ‘Chakkar’.
Shoaib Malik's long career, television appearances and celebrity status have allowed him to remain a prominent figure in Pakistani popular culture even outside the cricket field.
20. Mohsin Hasan Khan
Former Pakistan batter Mohsin made his Bollywood debut with JP Dutta’s ‘Batwara’ in 1989. His move into Hindi cinema came during a period when he was already well known as an international cricketer, making his transition particularly intriguing. Mohsin's connection with Bollywood became even more prominent after he married actress Reena Roy in 1983. His filmography included projects such as ‘Saathi’ in 1991, ‘Laat Saab’ in 1992 and ‘Mahaanta’ in 1997.
