In a delightful fusion of cricket and cinema, former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth recently engaged in a lighthearted discussion, drawing fascinating parallels between their teammates and popular Bollywood actors. The conversation, part of a YouTube show hosted by Harbhajan with his wife Geeta Basra, featured Sreesanth and his wife Bhuvneshwari Kumari, where the women quizzed the cricketers on personality matches.
Virat Kohli: The Energetic Ranveer Singh of Cricket
When asked to name a cricketer similar to the vibrant actor Ranveer Singh, both Harbhajan and Sreesanth unanimously pointed to Virat Kohli. Sreesanth reminisced about Kohli's early days in the dressing room, highlighting his humorous and energetic nature. "When he came during that time, he was always funny. His nickname was Chiku, and I remember Bhaji Pa (Harbhajan) and Yuvi Pa (Yuvraj Singh) used to make him do all sorts of things. He was funny and was always full of energy and life," Sreesanth recalled, emphasizing Kohli's lively personality that mirrors Ranveer's exuberant on-screen and off-screen persona.
Rohit Sharma: The Forgetful Nirupa Roy
The duo didn't stop there, comparing Rohit Sharma to the iconic actress Nirupa Roy, known for her forgetful roles in films. Sreesanth humorously noted Rohit's tendency to forget things, "You won't believe it, but Rohit Sharma can forget anything. He'll forget his kitbag. One or two times is okay, but every time? Once I read in the news that the entire time he reached the airport, but he didn't have his passport," he shared, drawing laughs with this anecdote about the cricketer's absent-mindedness.
Other Notable Comparisons
The fun comparisons extended to several other cricketers and actors:
- Sreesanth to Nana Patekar: For their intense and expressive personalities.
- Harbhajan Singh to Johny Lever: Highlighting Bhaji's comedic side.
- VVS Laxman to Mogambo: As Harbhajan claimed Laxman would get happy about everything, much like the iconic villain's joyful moments.
- Rahul Dravid to Akshay Kumar: Sreesanth cited Dravid's early morning training routines, similar to Akshay's disciplined workout regimen.
- Yuvraj Singh to Shah Rukh Khan: Both adored by fans and commanding attention wherever they go.
Sachin Tendulkar: Cricket's Gabbar Singh
Perhaps the most striking comparison was reserved for the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, whom both cricketers likened to Gabbar Singh from the classic film Sholay. Harbhajan explained, "He used to walk into the dressing room, and everyone would just go silent, But that was out of respect, not fear," capturing the awe and reverence Tendulkar inspired among his peers, much like the intimidating yet respected character of Gabbar.
Additional Insights and Connections
The discussion also touched on Zaheer Khan, once called the "Greek god" for his looks, who garnered attention similar to Yuvraj Singh. Interestingly, the conversation circled back to Virat Kohli's wife, Anushka Sharma, who has acted opposite Ranveer Singh in films like Band Baaja Baarat and Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, adding a personal twist to the cricket-Bollywood nexus.
This engaging interview not only showcased the camaraderie between former teammates but also highlighted how cricket and Bollywood, two pillars of Indian culture, often intersect in unexpected and entertaining ways. Through these comparisons, Harbhajan and Sreesanth offered fans a unique glimpse into the personalities behind the cricketing legends, making the sport feel more relatable and fun.
