Harrdy Sandhu: The Almost-Pro
Before his songs topped the charts and he graced the silver screen, Harrdy Sandhu was a professional cricketer. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, he was a promising talent who played for Punjab's Ranji team and was even part of India's U-19 team alongside
future stars like Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara. Sandhu played three first-class matches and took 12 wickets, showing significant potential. Unfortunately, a severe elbow injury in 2007 cut his cricketing dreams short, pushing him towards a career in music and acting. His journey came full circle when he portrayed cricketer Madan Lal in the film '83', allowing him to combine his two passions.
Saqib Saleem: A Cricketer By Fate
For Saqib Saleem, cricket was his first love. He was a dedicated player at the state level, representing both Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir in his youth. In interviews, Saleem has mentioned that he was serious about pursuing a cricket career until he was about 20 years old. Although he eventually found his calling in acting, cricket never truly left him. He is an active and key player for the Mumbai Heroes in the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), where he also serves as captain. Like his '83' co-star Harrdy Sandhu, Saleem also got to live his dream on screen by playing the role of Mohinder Amarnath, the vice-captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team.
Angad Bedi: Following in Footsteps
Cricket runs in Angad Bedi's blood. As the son of legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, it was natural for him to take to the pitch. Angad was a left-arm orthodox bowler, just like his father, and played for Delhi at the Under-19 level. While he showed promise, he eventually decided to pivot towards a career in modelling and acting. His deep understanding of the game, inherited and honed, remains a significant part of his identity. Although he chose a different path, his cricketing background gave him a foundation of discipline and focus that has served him well in the competitive world of Bollywood.
Ranveer Singh: The Dedicated Method Actor
While not a former professional like others on this list, Ranveer Singh’s dedication to portraying Kapil Dev in '83' turned him into a formidable cricketer. His coaches for the film noted that while his batting was average initially, his bowling needed significant work. Undeterred, Singh embarked on a gruelling training regimen, practicing cricket for four hours a day for six months. He spent time living with Kapil Dev to understand his mindset and master his unique bowling action. This intensive preparation not only led to a critically acclaimed performance but also transformed his on-field skills, earning him the respect of professional cricketers and proving his commitment to authenticity.
Karan Wahi: The Path Not Taken
Popular television actor Karan Wahi is another talent who was once a budding cricketer. He played for Delhi's Under-19 team in 2003, sharing a dressing room with Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. Wahi's promising cricket career was unfortunately cut short by a severe ankle injury at the age of 16, which prompted him to explore acting. He has admitted that when the Indian Premier League (IPL) started, he even contemplated leaving his acting career behind to return to the sport he loved. His story is a classic case of 'what might have been', as his cricketing peers went on to achieve international stardom.
