India is crazy for cricket, and movies. People offer prayers for hit movies, garlands adorn the posters of their favorite heroes while cricket has seen more of these. What if both come together? india has seen that too. See here as we present to you 7 cricketers who turned actors.
7. Sadagoppan Ramesh
Ask any cricket fanatic about who is the first Indian to take a wicket in his first ODI delivery, you get one answer: Sadagoppan Ramesh. This promising Indian cricketer, despite a good start to his career, had an early end to it and joined movies instead. He made his debut in the year 2008 and went on do more. Here’s a clip from his movie
6. Yograj Singh
The much in news father of Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been a player for India himself, playing as good as 6 ODIs and a test. But an injury compelled him to cease playing and he decided to join Punjwood instead, which acted as his major career. He has done many films, including the biopic on ‘Jeev Milkha Singh’ named Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Here is a visual aid:
5. Salil Ankola
He might be a common face for the soaps and serials watchers now but he started off his career playing for India. This player wore the India team jersey for 20 ODIs but then there was this injury of him, and his poor fielding which, despite of being a member of 96 ICC World Cup squad, had to stop play. After some domestic seasons, he joined the Silver Screens making debut in the year 2000. Here is a clip from his movie
4. Ajay Jadeja
One of the most talented players of his time, Jadeja’s successful cricketing career ended rather drastically. He got a ban from cricket after which, his dashing looks helped him make an alternate career in films instead. Jadeja made his debut with Khel, a movie that did well in the box office. Here’s one song from the movie:
3. Vinod kambli
The childhood buddy of Sachin Tendulkar had a meteoric but eventful career. With the fastest 1000 test runs as an Indian, he finished his cricket career faster than he should have. Kambli, after his cricketing career got over, joined bollywood. His first movie Annarth came in 2002 and the other one starring his India teammate Ajay Jadeja in the year 2009. Here is a song from his debut movie which may cheer you up:
2. Sandip patil
The current Indian selector might look reserved and concentrated only on cricket but even he tried his luck in the movies too. Before coaching Kenya, and after leaving playing, he made his silver screen debut and that too opposite famous bollywood actress Poonam Dhillon. Here is the video:
1. Sunil Gavaskar
Yes you read it right. The Indian batting maestro Sunny paji also had his share of reel life fame while he acted in a Marathi film. But later he decided to hook on to his first love cricket, serving as a commentator and match presentor. But his short stinct in movies will always remain a unique memory to cherrish. Here you go :
So, these were the 7 wonders of Indian cricket who had the best of both worlds. Keep following sportz wiki for more such interesting facts.