In India, the twin passions of cricket and cinema reign supreme, capturing the hearts of millions with their massive fan followings. These two worlds frequently intersect through various avenues such as team ownerships, celebrity friendships, and high-profile relationships. The celebrated union of cricket icon Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in 2017 stands as a prime example of this cultural crossover. Recently, former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth delved into this fascinating connection, highlighting the striking similarities between cricketers and film stars in their personalities and public personas.
Harbhajan Singh Hosts a Fun-Filled Chat with Sreesanth
On their popular YouTube cricket show, Harbhajan Singh and his wife Geeta Basra welcomed Sreesanth and his spouse Bhuvneshwari Kumari for an entertaining and casual discussion. The session took a playful turn when the two women assumed the role of quizmasters, presenting a unique challenge to the cricketers. They listed well-known Bollywood actors and tasked Harbhajan and Sreesanth with matching them to cricketers who exhibit comparable traits. When the name of energetic actor Ranveer Singh was mentioned, both former players erupted in laughter before unanimously agreeing that Virat Kohli perfectly mirrors the actor's vibrant and lively character.
Sreesanth Recalls Young Virat Kohli's Dressing Room Antics
Reflecting on the early stages of Kohli's illustrious career, Sreesanth shared a humorous anecdote from the team dressing room. "When he arrived during that period, he was consistently amusing. His nickname was Chiku, and I recall Bhaji Pa (Harbhajan) and Yuvi Pa (Yuvraj Singh) often had him perform various playful tasks. He was genuinely funny and always brimming with energy and enthusiasm," Sreesanth reminisced. The conversation then shifted to current Indian captain Rohit Sharma, with both cricketers chuckling as they likened him to veteran actress Nirupa Roy for his occasional absent-mindedness. "It's hard to believe, but Rohit Sharma can forget practically anything. Misplacing his kitbag once or twice is understandable, but every single time? I once read a news report stating that he reached the airport entirely but had forgotten his passport," Sreesanth added with amusement.
Harbhajan Singh Draws Amusing Parallels Between Cricketers and Bollywood Icons
The engaging dialogue also featured several witty personality comparisons crafted by the former teammates. Sreesanth was compared to the intense actor Nana Patekar, while Harbhajan found a match in comedian Johny Lever. The elegant VVS Laxman was humorously equated to the iconic villain Mogambo, a reference Harbhajan explained by noting Laxman's ability to find joy in nearly every situation. Rahul Dravid was likened to Akshay Kumar for his remarkable discipline, with Sreesanth sharing how Dravid was invariably the first to arrive for training sessions, much like the actor renowned for his rigorous fitness regimen. Yuvraj Singh was compared to the charismatic Shah Rukh Khan, highlighting his star power and appeal.
Harbhajan Singh Labels Sachin Tendulkar the 'Gabbar Singh' of Cricket
When the discussion turned to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, both Harbhajan and Sreesanth quickly drew a parallel between the cricket maestro and the formidable character Gabbar Singh from classic Indian cinema. They fondly recalled how the dressing room atmosphere would instantly hush whenever Sachin entered. Harbhajan elaborated, "He would walk into the dressing room, and everyone would immediately fall silent. However, that silence stemmed from profound respect rather than any sense of fear." The duo also reminisced about Zaheer Khan, remembering how he once earned the nickname "Greek god" and, similar to Yuvraj Singh, frequently attracted significant attention both on and off the field.
This delightful exchange underscores the deep cultural ties between India's beloved cricket heroes and its glittering film industry, revealing shared traits of charisma, discipline, and larger-than-life personalities that resonate with fans across the nation.
