Complete list of Bollywood films based on real-life Indian cricketers

10. Azhar (2016)

Azhar is a biographical sports drama inspired by the life of former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Starring Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, the film follows Azharuddin's rise from a talented cricketer in Hyderabad to one of India's most successful captains. Along with his achievements on the field, the movie also explores his personal life, including his marriage, his relationship with actress Sangeeta Bijlani, and the controversies that eventually overshadowed his illustrious career.

The story begins with Azhar facing serious allegations in the match-fixing scandal, which leads to a lifetime ban imposed by the Indian cricket board. Through flashbacks, the film traces his journey from fulfilling his grandfather's dream of playing for India to making a dream Test debut with three consecutive centuries.

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It showcases his appointment as India's captain, memorable victories, and the challenges he faced both on and off the field. As his fame grows, his personal life becomes increasingly complicated, and his alleged involvement with bookmakers pushes him into the biggest crisis of his career.

The film then shifts to Azhar's lengthy courtroom battle as he fights to clear his name with the help of his lawyer. During the trial, questions are raised over the evidence and the investigation against him, while those closest to him continue to support him. After years of legal proceedings, the court overturns the life ban, marking the end of his long fight for justice. Combining cricket, personal drama and courtroom proceedings, Azhar offers a cinematic portrayal of one of the most controversial chapters in Indian cricket history.

9. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story is a biographical sports drama based on the life of former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the film stars Sushant Singh Rajput in one of his most celebrated performances, alongside Anupam Kher, Disha Patani, and Kiara Advani. 

The movie follows Dhoni's inspiring journey from a small-town boy in Ranchi to becoming one of India's greatest cricket captains, highlighting his determination, sacrifices and unwavering belief in his dreams. Released in 2016, the film was a major commercial and critical success, earning over ₹215 crore worldwide and releasing across 61 countries.

The story begins with young Dhoni, a talented football goalkeeper whose exceptional reflexes catch the attention of his school cricket coach. He soon discovers his passion for cricket and works tirelessly to improve his wicketkeeping and batting skills. Despite missing an important selection opportunity and taking up a job as a ticket collector at Kharagpur Railway Station to support his family, Dhoni never gives up on his dream of playing for India. 

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His consistent performances in domestic cricket eventually earn him a place in the Indian team. Along the way, he experiences personal joy and heartbreak, including the tragic loss of his girlfriend Priyanka Jha, a moment that deeply impacts both his life and career.

Dhoni eventually overcomes every challenge to become captain of the Indian cricket team, leading a young side to victory in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and taking India to the top of the ICC Test rankings. The film also depicts his relationship with Sakshi Singh Rawat, whom he later marries, before culminating with the unforgettable 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final.

 In one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history, Dhoni promotes himself up the batting order and finishes the final with a match-winning six against Sri Lanka, sealing India's first World Cup title in 28 years. The film concludes with real footage of Dhoni's historic triumph, making it an emotional tribute to one of India's greatest sporting legends.

8. Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017)

Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a biographical sports documentary based on the life of Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest cricketers in history. Directed by James Erskine, the film combines real match footage, personal home videos, interviews and re-enactments to tell Sachin's inspiring journey. Narrated mainly by Sachin himself, the documentary gives fans a rare glimpse into both his cricket career and his personal life. Released in 2017, the film was made in Marathi, Hindi and English and was also dubbed in Tamil and Telugu.

The documentary follows Sachin's journey from his childhood in Mumbai, where he was trained by legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar, to becoming the face of Indian cricket. It highlights his early success, his record-breaking partnership with Vinod Kambli, his international debut against Pakistan and his rise as one of the world's greatest batsmen. The film also explores his personal life, including his marriage to Anjali Tendulkar, the loss of his father during the 1999 World Cup, and the challenges he faced during difficult phases of his career, including India's disappointing 2007 World Cup campaign.

The final part of the documentary focuses on Sachin's greatest achievement—winning the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, a dream he had cherished since childhood. It also covers his historic 100th international century and his emotional retirement from international cricket in 2013. Filled with never-before-seen moments, family memories and emotional tributes, Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a heartfelt celebration of the life, career and legacy of the man known as the 'God of Cricket.'

7. Patiala House (2011)

Patiala House is a sports drama loosely inspired by the life of former England spinner Monty Panesar. Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film stars Akshay Kumar as Gattu Kahlon, a talented fast bowler who dreams of representing England. Set in London, the film explores the emotional conflict between personal ambition and family expectations. Although not a direct biopic, it draws inspiration from the challenges faced by British-Indian cricketers who struggle to balance their identity with their sporting dreams.

The story follows Gattu, whose dream of playing cricket for England is crushed by his strict and patriotic father. Haunted by past experiences of racism, his father strongly opposes the idea of his son representing another country and even threatens to take his own life if Gattu continues to pursue cricket. Forced to give up his passion, Gattu sacrifices his dream for the sake of his family. However, with the support of his loved ones, he secretly returns to cricket and earns a place in the England national team.

As Gattu's success becomes public, tensions within the family rise once again. His father initially refuses to accept his achievement, leading to emotional conflicts that test their relationship. In the end, love and understanding prevail as his father realizes his mistake and proudly supports his son's journey. Blending cricket, family drama and emotional storytelling, Patiala House delivers an inspiring message about following one's dreams while overcoming personal and cultural barriers.

6. Kaun Pravin Tambe? (2022)

Kaun Pravin Tambe? is a biographical sports drama based on the extraordinary life of Indian cricketer Pravin Tambe. Directed by Jayprad Desai, the film stars Shreyas Talpade in the lead role, with Ashish Vidyarthi and Anjali Patil in supporting roles. Released in 2022 on Disney+ Hotstar, the film tells the inspiring story of a man who refused to give up on his dream of playing professional cricket, despite facing repeated setbacks and age-related challenges.

The film follows Pravin Tambe's journey through Mumbai's competitive local cricket circuit, where he spends years chasing his dream of playing at the highest level. While many believe his cricket career is over because of his age, Tambe continues to work hard and never loses hope. His persistence, dedication and passion for the game eventually catch the attention of cricket legend Rahul Dravid, who gives him an opportunity to play for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

At the age of 41, Pravin Tambe makes his IPL debut, proving that determination and hard work can overcome any obstacle. His remarkable journey inspires countless aspiring cricketers to believe that it is never too late to follow their dreams. Kaun Pravin Tambe? is an uplifting story of perseverance, resilience and the power of never giving up, making it one of the most inspiring cricket films in Bollywood.

5. Chakda Xpress (Unreleased)

Chakda Xpress is an unreleased Hindi-language biographical sports drama based on the life of former Indian women's cricket captain Jhulan Goswami. Directed by Prosit Roy and written by Abhishek Banerjee, the film stars Anushka Sharma in the lead role, alongside Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Renuka Shahane. Produced by Clean Slate Filmz, the movie was announced as an inspiring tribute to one of India's greatest women cricketers and her extraordinary journey in international cricket.

The film follows Jhulan Goswami's rise from a young girl with big dreams to becoming one of the fastest bowlers in the history of women's cricket. It showcases the challenges she faced while pursuing a career in a sport that received limited recognition at the time. Through hard work, determination and perseverance, Jhulan overcame every obstacle to become a key player for the Indian women's cricket team and an inspiration for future generations.

Although filming was completed in 2022, Chakda Xpress has not been released and remains indefinitely delayed. Reports suggest that production issues, budget overruns and creative differences between the producers and the original streaming platform led to the project's postponement. Despite repeated requests from fans and members of the film's team, the biopic is yet to receive an official release date, leaving audiences waiting to watch the story of one of India's greatest women cricketers on screen.

4. Shabaash Mithu (2022)

Shabaash Mithu is a Hindi biographical sports drama based on the life of former India women's cricket captain Mithali Raj. Directed by Srijit Mukherji, the film stars Taapsee Pannu in the lead role and was released in theatres on 15 July 2022. Produced by Viacom18 Studios, the movie highlights Mithali Raj's remarkable journey and celebrates her contribution to Indian women's cricket. Although it received mixed reviews from critics, the film did not perform well at the box office.

The film follows Mithali Raj's journey from a young girl with a passion for cricket to becoming one of the greatest batters in the history of women's cricket. It showcases the challenges she faced while pursuing a career in a sport that received limited attention and support. Through determination, discipline and consistent performances, Mithali established herself as the backbone of the Indian women's cricket team and went on to become its Test and ODI captain.

Shabaash Mithu also highlights some of the biggest moments of Mithali Raj's career, including leading India to the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup final. The film portrays her struggles, achievements and the impact she had on women's cricket in India. It serves as an inspiring tribute to a player whose dedication and leadership helped transform the landscape of women's cricket in the country.

3. 83 (2021)

83 is a Hindi biographical sports drama based on India's historic victory at the 1983 Cricket World Cup under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film stars Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev and Deepika Padukone as his wife, Romi Dev. The ensemble cast also includes Pankaj Tripathi, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Jiiva, Saqib Saleem and Harrdy Sandhu. Released in 2021, the film recreates one of the greatest moments in Indian cricket history. Although it received positive reviews from critics, it underperformed at the Indian box office despite becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films overseas that year.

The film follows the Indian cricket team's journey to the 1983 Cricket World Cup, where they entered the tournament as underdogs with little expectation of success. Led by Kapil Dev, the team overcame several strong opponents and gradually earned the world's attention. The movie captures the challenges, determination and teamwork that helped India reach the final against the mighty West Indies, who were favourites to win the title for the third consecutive time.

The final part of the film recreates the unforgettable World Cup final at Lord's Cricket Ground, where India defeated the West Indies to lift their first-ever Cricket World Cup trophy. The victory transformed Indian cricket and inspired an entire generation of young cricketers across the country. With powerful performances, emotional storytelling and memorable match sequences, 83 pays tribute to one of the greatest achievements in the history of Indian sports.

2. Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story (2027)

Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is an upcoming Hindi biographical sports drama based on the life of former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film stars Rajkummar Rao in the lead role, with Tanya Maniktala, Saswata Chatterjee and Gajraj Rao in key supporting roles. Produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under Luv Films, the movie will trace Ganguly's journey from a young cricketer in Bengal to one of the most influential captains in Indian cricket. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on May 14, 2027.

The makers unveiled Rajkummar Rao's first look from the film on July 8, 2026, marking Sourav Ganguly's birthday. The poster recreates Ganguly's iconic celebration at Lord's Cricket Ground after India's memorable NatWest Trophy victory in 2002, where he waved his shirt from the balcony. Accompanied by the tagline, "He didn't just play the game, he changed it," the first look generated excitement among cricket fans and movie lovers alike.

The film is expected to showcase Ganguly's remarkable cricket career, including his rise to the Indian team, his fearless captaincy and his role in building a new generation of Indian cricketers. Ganguly represented India between 1992 and 2008, scoring 18,575 international runs and 38 centuries across Tests and One-Day Internationals. While the complete storyline is yet to be revealed, Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story promises to celebrate the legacy of one of India's most successful and transformative cricket captains.

1. Untitled Lala Amarnath Biopic (Expected 2027)

The untitled Lala Amarnath biopic is an upcoming Hindi historical sports drama based on the life of Lala Amarnath, one of the pioneers of Indian cricket. The film stars Aamir Khan in the lead role, with Farhan Akhtar playing a fellow cricketer and close companion. Backed by Excel Entertainment, the film is being developed with creative inputs from Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi, while Piyush Gupta and Neeraj Singh have written the screenplay. The movie is expected to release in December 2027.

Instead of being a traditional biopic, the film focuses on the historic 1952 India-Pakistan Test series, where Lala Amarnath led India to its first-ever Test series victory over Pakistan after Independence. The story also explores the impact of Partition, friendship, rivalry and the emotions surrounding cricket during one of the most important periods in Indian history. Aamir Khan and Farhan Akhtar are expected to undergo extensive cricket training to prepare for their roles.

The film will celebrate the legacy of Lala Amarnath, who became India's first Test centurion in 1933 and later served as the country's first captain after Independence. His leadership played a key role in shaping Indian cricket during its early years. With its historical backdrop and powerful cricket story, the untitled Lala Amarnath biopic aims to honour one of the greatest figures in Indian cricket history while bringing an important chapter of the sport to the big screen.