In India, cricket and films have great admirers across the country, and time and again, we saw how cricketers begin their second innings with the silver screen. There are not just one but many players of Team India who have acted in films of regional languages ​​including Bollywood. So let's take a look at the top 8 Indian cricketers who acted in movies.

Also Read: Can you name the Indian cricketer who won a National Award in Indian cinema?

Cricketers who acted in movies

8. S. Sreesanth

Former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth was arrested on charges of spot-fixing during IPL and after the ban, the cricketer tried his luck in the acting. From 'Aksar 2' to 'Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal', Sreesanth appeared in five films.

7. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh, who took 400 wickets in Test cricket and more than 250 wickets in ODI cricket, is one of the top cricketers who acted in movies. Harbhajan was seen in the film 'Bha Ji in Problem', made in the co-production of Akshar Kumar, and 'Friendship'. Apart from this, he was seen in a TV show named 'Roadies Rising'.

6. Vinod Kambli

Former Team India player and Sachin Tendulkar's childhood friend Vinod Kambli has also made his mark on the big screen. Vinod Kambli worked in the film 'Annarth' starring Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty, 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Saat' and 'Bettanagere'. 

5. Shikhar Dhawan

Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan made a cameo appearance in the Bollywood film 'Double XL', and it was a surprise for many for sure. The film features Huma Qureshi and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles.

Also Read: Most Partnership runs for India in all formats

4. Ajay Jadeja 

Team India's former all-rounder player Ajay Jadeja, appeared in several films after retiring from cricket in 2003. He began his film career with the movie 'Khel' and went on to act in films like 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath'. Apart from this, he also appeared in the reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

3. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh Yuvraj Singh played a very small role as the voice of a character in the 2008 animated movie, Jumbo. He has worked with his father Yograj Singh in several Punjabi films as a child actor. He played a cameo in a Punjabi movie 'Mehndi Shagna Di' at the age of 11. 

2. Sunil Gavaskar 

Veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who became the first to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, also worked in a Marathi film. The name of this film was 'Savil Premachi'. Apart from this, he was also seen as a guest artist in the Bollywood movie 'Maalamaal' starring Naseeruddin Shah.

Also Read: Most matches played as captain

1. Kapil Dev

Fondly known as the Haryana Hurricane, Kapil Dev, the Indian captain who led the team to a World Cup victory in 1983, has starred in a host of movies including '83', 'Iqbal', 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogii', 'Stumped', and 'Dillagi Yeh Dillagi'.

KL Rahul just broke a major record by becoming the batter who took fewest innings to reach 5000 IPL runs. He hit this milestone during a game between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Rahul played an outstanding innings, scoring an unbeaten half-century, which helped his team secure an important sixth win of the season. Notably, he reached the 5000-run mark in just 130 innings, beating David Warner’s previous record.

Also Read: Most Fifty Plus Scores in IPL by an Opener Since Gill's Debut

Now, let’s take a moment to check out the top five players who took fewest innings to reach 5000 IPL runs.

Fewest Innings to Reach 5000 IPL Runs

5. Shikhar Dhawan | 168

Shikhar Dhawan rounds out the top five on this list, reaching 5,000 IPL runs in his 168th inning. He achieved the milestone in 2020 while playing for DC, scoring an unbeaten 106 off 61 balls against his former team, Punjab Kings in Dubai.

With his flair, calmness under pressure, and consistent batting, Dhawan has made a name as one of the finest players in white-ball cricket. Dhawan retired with 6,769 runs in 222 matches at 35.26 and a strike rate of 127.14, including two centuries and 51 fifties.

4. AB de Villiers | 161

Former South Africa and RCB star AB de Villiers ranks fourth on the list, having reached 5,000 IPL runs in 161 innings. He achieved the milestone in 2021 against Delhi Capitals, scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls in Ahmedabad.

de Villiers is considered a modern legend in cricket. His legacy as one of the most impactful players in the league is solidified by his remarkable and consistent performances. Across 184 matches, de Villiers amassed 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.69 and an average of 39.71, including three centuries and 40 half-centuries.

3. Virat Kohli | 157

Virat Kohli, the highest run-scorer in IPL history, ranks third on the list of fastest to 5,000 runs, reaching the milestone in 157 innings. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he achieved the feat in 2019 home game against Mumbai Indians, scoring 46 off 32 balls.

Kohli’s hunger for runs is something that sets him apart, and his consistent performance makes him a real legend in this league. Overall, Kohli has amassed 8,326 runs in 260 matches at an average of 39.27, including eight centuries and 59 half-centuries.

2. David Warner | 135

Before Rahul, David Warner held the title for the fewest innings to reach 5000 IPL runs for nearly five years, reaching the milestone in 135 innings. He achieved the milestone in 2020, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring an unbeaten 47 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi.

Known for being one of the best players in the league, Warner led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to a championship in 2016. He made scoring big runs look effortless, converting his explosive starts into match-winning performances.

Despite going unsold in the recent auction, Warner boasts an impressive IPL record of 6,565 runs in 184 matches at 40.52, striking at 139.77 alongside 62 fifties and four centuries.

Also Read: Most Runs in IPL History: Virat Kohli leading the charts

1. KL Rahul | 130

As mentioned, KL Rahul is now the player who took fewest innings to reach 5,000 IPL runs, achieving the milestone in 130 innings.

He surpassed David Warner, who took 135 innings, to claim the top spot. Rahul also moved past Chris Gayle (4,965) and Robin Uthappa (4,952) on the all-time run-scorers list. Overall, he now owns 5,006 runs across 139 matches at 46.35 (SR: 135.70).

The cricketer from Karnataka added this record to his name while playing for Delhi Capitals after an impressive journey that started back with Kings XI Punjab in 2018. Since then, he has shown incredible consistency and has proven to be a match-winner time and again. His special 5000-run achievement came during a match against Lucknow Super Giants, reinforcing his nickname of “Mr. Consistent.”

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tournament where batsmen dominate more. But, in the history of the cash-rich league, there have been many bowlers who fool the batsmen with their clever bowling and deprive them of scoring runs by bowling dot balls.

Fast cricket is being seen in every season of IPL, where batsmen hit a lot of fours and sixes. On the other hand, bowlers seem helpless most of the time. To get out of this situation, you need to have bowlers who can control the run flow of the opposition team by bowling dot balls.

Also Read: IPL facts: Every player to make IPL debut before turning 18

In this article, we will be discussing about the top 10 bowlers with most dot balls bowled in IPL history.

Most Dot Balls Bowled in IPL

10. Amit Mishra | 1191

Amit Mishra has been among the top wicket-takers in the IPL. He is also the only bowler to take three hat-tricks in IPL history.

The experienced leg spinner has outfoxed batters with his flighted deliveries and leg breaks. Mishra was in his prime in the initial seasons of the league, taking heaps of wickets. Over the years, Mishra has bowled 1191 dot balls in 162 games while picking up 174 wickets. 

9. Umesh Yadav | 1203

Umesh Yadav has sent down 1203 dot balls in his IPL career. The right-arm fast bowler grabbed everyone’s attention with his quick pace. He then showcased his ability in the IPL, making his debut for Delhi in 2010. Yadav can move the ball in and out while hitting above 135 kmph consistently.

Thus far, the Vidarbha bowler has represented four teams and took 144 wickets in 148 matches.

8. Harbhajan Singh | 1268

Harbhajan Singh delivered 1268 dot balls in his 163-match IPL career. The former off-spinner was a crucial member of Mumbai Indians (MI) for 10 seasons between 2008 and 2017. He played a major role in Mumbai winning the league three times, especially in 2013, when he racked up 24 wickets. 

Harbhajan then moved to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), playing his last game in 2021. Harbhajan got the better of batters with his varying length and pace while using his off-spin tricks. He took 150 wickets in 160 appearances at an economy rate of 7.08.

7. Yuzvendra Chahal | 1272

Yuzvendra Chahal is the most successful bowler in IPL history, sitting at the top of the wicket chart. The leg spinner has bagged 214 wickets in 168 matches while giving away 7.90 runs per over. On top of that, Chahal has delivered 1272 dot balls in the league. 

What makes his achievement special is he bowled most of his overs at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where batters find it easy to score runs. Despite that, the leggie put up a break on run scoring, which is evident from his numbers.

6. Ravindra Jadeja | 1273

One of the best all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja has kept batters calm with his accurate bowling. The elite left-arm spinner bowls wicket-to-wicket, not giving much room to batters to score runs.

This has resulted in him bowling 1273 dot deliveries in 219 innings. Jadeja also boasts 165 wickets at an economy of 7.65 while representing four teams.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Best Economy in IPL Since 2024

5. Jasprit Bumrah | 1301

Jasprit Bumrah’s rise in world cricket is phenomenal. The right-arm pacer came to the IPL in 2013 and turned everyone’s heads around with his unorthodox slingy action. Thanks to his exploits in the league, Bumrah soon entered the Indian team, emerging as one of the greatest fast bowlers from the country. 

Mumbai Indians scouts unearthed the rookie talent, who has been playing for them ever since. Bumrah’s awkward release point makes it hard for batters to play him, helping him put a lid on run scoring. Thus far, he has fired down the fifth-most dot balls, with 1301 dots in 137 innings while adding 169 wickets at an economy rate of 7.30.

4. Piyush Chawla | 1337

One of the most successful bowlers in IPL history, India's dangerous leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has bowled 1337 dot balls in the tournament. He has managed to secure the fourth position in this list.

Additionally, with an impressive economy rate of 7.96 and an excellent bowling average of 26.6, Chawla holds the record for taking the second-highest number of wickets (192) in the history of the tournament.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin | 1606

India's experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is third on this list with 1606 dot balls in 215 IPL innings. His economy in the league is impressive at 7.19 and he has also taken 4 wickets once.

Ashwin captained the Punjab Kings franchise for two seasons and played for Delhi Capitals in the 2020 and 2021 seasons and is currently playing for Chennai Super Kings. He has taken 185 wickets in an average of 30.23.

2. Sunil Narine | 1651

West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine made his IPL debut in 2012. Since then, this star all-rounder has been an important player for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Batters often find it hard to navigate his mystery spin, resulting in fewer runs and more wickets.

In the history of IPL, Narine has bowled 1651 dot balls and he is second on this list. Narine has taken a total of 187 wickets in 181 IPL innings.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Lowest Total Defended in IPL

1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 1736

India's experienced right-arm fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes first in the list of most dot balls bowled in IPL history. Bhuvi, who has the ability to swing the new ball both ways, has bowled 1736 dot balls in the cash-rich league. 

Bhuvi started playing in the IPL in 2011 with Pune Warriors before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014. Since then, he has shown his incredible control over the ball, often putting a break on the run flow of the batting sides. He will now represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2025 season.

The Indian fast bowler has taken 189 wickets in 183 innings at an average of 27.14 and an economy of 7.57.

Indian Premier League has been one of the toughest yet entertaining cricket leagues in the world since its inception in 2008. Since then, many Indian and overseas batters have gone on to score plenty of runs for their teams. In this article, we will discuss all those batters who have scored the most fifties (and over) in IPL history. 

Currently, former Australian batter David Warner holds the record for the most fifties (and over) scored in IPL history with 66 fifties. Indian legend Virat Kohli follows him on the list with 65 fifties. With his consistency, Virat Kohli can go past Warner any time and become the batter with the most fifties (and over) in IPL history. 

Shikhar Dhawan, who is considered one of the best openers in IPL history, has 53 IPL fifties to his name. However, he will not be able to increase that number as he has already hung up his boots. 

Rohit Sharma, with 45 IPL fifties, and KL Rahul with 43 fifties can surely get close to David Warner's number. Rahul has been in tremendous form and has already scored two fifties in IPL 2025. However, Rohit Sharma has struggled to get going this season. 

Read Also | Most runs in IPL since 2018

AB de Villiers and Suresh Raina, two of the greatest middle order batters ever to play in Indian Premier League history, also come upon the list with 43 and 40 IPL fifties to their names. 

Faf du Plessis (38) is another name among the active cricketers who ranks among the top 10 players with most IPL fifties so far. 

Read Also | IPL Facts: Most Man of the Match Awards in IPL History

Most fifties (and over) in IPL History (Top 10)

MI skipper Hardik Pandya went on to script history as he became the first-ever skipper in Indian Premier League history to take a five-wicket haul. Hardik’s spell of 5 for 36 is also his best-ever bowling figures in T20 cricket.

Hardik’s fifth wicket was also his 30th IPL wicket as a skipper, which takes him level with Anil Kumble’s tally of 30 wickets as the second-most wickets in IPL as a captain.. Former Aussie great and Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne is the only bowler ahead of him with 57 wickets.

Also Read: Most wins in IPL as captain

So, let's take a look at the players with most wickets in IPL as a captain.

10. Shane Watson | 13 Wickets

Shane Watson is placed at no. 10 with 13 wickets to his name. Watson led the Rajasthan Royals in the 2014 and 2015 ipl seasons. Under his captaincy in 2015 Rajasthan also qualifies for the playoffs. He also led Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017 for some matches as interim captain.

A notable all-rounder, Watson also mustered 2372 runs with the bat for RR at 36.49. He smashed two tons and 14 fifties. Overall, the Aussie hammered 3874 runs (100s: 4, 50s: 21). He hit 190 sixes.

9. Sam Curran | 13 Wickets

English all rounder Sam Curran comes in with 13 wickets. Sam Curran led Punjab Kings in 11 matches of the IPL 2024 as Shikhar Dhawan was injured. That year, Sam Curran showed his brilliant all round game by clinching 16 wickets and scoring 270 runs in 13 matches ,but punjab couldn’t do well finishing at 9th position just above Mumbai Indians.

8. Daniel Vettori | 17 Wickets

Former New Zealand allrounder Daniel Vettori comes at 8th position in this list. He led Royal Challengers Banglore in 2011 and 2012 IPL.

As a captain Vettori has taken 17 wickets for RCB. Under his captaincy, Rcb also reached the final of 2011 IPL season but lost to csk.

7. Yuvraj Singh | 18 Wickets

Yuvraj Singh has taken 18 wickets as a captain in IPL and placed at no. 6 in this list. He captained Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the 2008-2009 season and Pune Warriors in 2011. 

Yuvi also has two hat-tricks to his name in IPL, which he took against RCB and Deccan Charges in the 2009 season. He is only the second bowler in IPL history to take multi hat-tricks in IPL, after Amit Mishra, who has taken 3 hat-tricks in IPL.

Also Read: IPL records: 5 youngest centurion in IPL

6. Zaheer Khan | 20 Wickets

Indian pace legend Zaheer Khan has captained Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2016 and 2017. He is placed fifth in the list of highest wicket taking captains in ipl with 20 wickets. 

In 2017, Zaheer Khan was overall 10th or 9th Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in the IPL. After 2017, Zaheer Khan took retirement from all formats of cricket.

5. Pat Cummins | 21 Wickets

Australia’s captain and SRH skipper Pat Cummins has taken 21 wickets as a captain in IPL. Cummins comes at fourth position in this list. 

Cummins is also the second highest wicket-taker as a captain in a single season, taking 18 wickets, just behind Shane Warne, who took 19 wickets in the 2008 season. With the help of this brilliant performance by Cummins, SRH also reached the 2024 IPL final.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin | 25 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin led Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for two seasons in 2018 and 2019. 

As a captain he has taken 25 wickets and grabs the third position in the list of most wickets in IPL as captain. In 2019 R Ashwin took 15 wickets for Punjab Kings with an economy rate of 7.27.

2. Hardik Pandya | 30 Wickets

Next we have, Hardik Pandya who joins Anil Kumble in this list. Pandya ranks second in the elite list of captains with the most wickets in IPL. 

Till now, as a captain Hardik has taken 30 wickets in IPL. Pandya has led Gujrat Titans in 2022- 2023 season and out of that in 2022, under Hardik’s captaincy, Gujarat won the trophy in its first season and was runner up in 2023. Since 2024, Hardik has been captaining Mumbai Indians.

In 2025 season, Hardik became the first-ever captain in IPL history to claim a five-wicket haul during the match against Lucknow Super Giants in Ekana Cricket Stadium. Pandya's fiery spell of 5 for 36 was also his personal best in T20 cricket.

2. Anil Kumble | 30 Wickets

Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble is the second highest wicket taker in IPL as captain with 30 wickets. He led Royal Challengers Banglore in 2009- 2010. 

As a player, Kumble had a good run, ending the 2009 season as highest wicket taker for Rcb and overall second highest wicket taker with 21 wickets at an economy rate of 5.86 . He also took his team to the finals in 2009.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Who was hit the most sixes in IPL History? Top 10 list

1. Shane Warne | 57 Wickets

The late Shane Warne is the record holder for the most wickets in IPL as captain. Leg-spinner Warne represented the Royals across four IPL seasons, claiming 57 scalps from 55 matches at 25.38. He took one four-wicket haul.

Warne also captained Rajasthan Royals to win the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008. The 2008 campaign saw the multiple World Cup-winning ace pick up 19 wickets from 15 games at 21.26. He was the side’s second-highest wicket-taker after Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir (22 wickets). Notably, Tanvir won the Purple Cap that season. 

Warne took 14 wickets in 2009, 11 wickets in 2010 and 13 wickets in 2011 to highlight his consistency.

The Indian Premier League is just around the corner with the tournament set to start on 22 March.

As usual, it is highly anticipated and is set to draw a huge viewing audience.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Which player has lost the most games in IPL history?

As we move towards the first fixture, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, let’s take a moment to go back in time and see which batsmen have scored the most runs in IPL since 2018.

Most Runs in IPL (2018-2024)

8. Suryakumar Yadav | 2986 Runs

Suryakumar Yadav had his IPL debut in 2011 for MI. But he got his breakthrough in KKR under Gautam Gambhir but didn't perform up to that level. 2018 saw him return to the Mumbai Indians, where he made massive strides in his IPL career.

Surya has scored 2986 runs during this period in 84 games at an average of 35.55 and a strike rate of 148.71. He has two centuries and 23 half-centuries to his name. He struck 440 boundaries, including 331 fours and 109 sixes.

In 2023, he had his greatest IPL season, where he was appointed as the vice-captain of MI along with scoring 605 runs with a strike rate of 181.14 in 16 innings.

7. Sanju Samson | 2993 Runs

Rajasthan Royals' skipper and wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has always been a player to rely on in the IPL. He has scored 2993 runs during the 2018-2024 season with two centuries and 18 half-centuries.

IPL 2024 was one of the best seasons for Samson with the bat as he amassed 531 runs at an impressive average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46. He also led the team to the playoffs for the second time after taking over the reins in IPL 2021.

6. Jos Buttler | 3055 Runs

Jos Buttler comes sixth in the list scoring 3055 runs in 73 matches at an average of 41.85 and a strike rate of 147.80. He has seven centuries and 18 half-centuries to his name.

Buttler had an unforgettable 2022 season, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 863 runs at an average of 57.53 and a blistering strike rate of 149.05.

The England star smashed four centuries and four half-centuries, playing a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals’ journey to the final. His ability to accelerate and play match-winning innings made him one of the standout performers of the season.

5. Shikhar Dhawan | 3208 Runs

Shikhar Dhawan is fifth on the list of most runs in IPL since 2018. He has been a consistent run-getter over this period, crossing the 400-run mark each season from 2018 to 2024. 

Dhawan has 3208 runs in 83 games at an average of 38.65 and a strike rate of 133.56, including 2 hundred and 23 half-centuries, with the help of 367 fours and 82 sixes. 

His best season came in 2020 when he made 618 runs with 2 hundred and 4 fifties. 

4. Shubman Gill | 3216 Runs

Shubman Gill made his IPL debut in 2018 season and scored 3216 runs so far in 85 matches at an average of 37.84 and a strike rate of 135.70. 

Gill was the leading run-scorer of IPL 2023, amassing 890 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 59.33. His strike rate of 157.80 included 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries, with a highest score of 129. He also smashed 85 fours and 33 sixes throughout the tournament.

Gill’s heroics helped Gujarat Titans reach the 2023 final, making him a player to watch for many seasons to come.

3. Faf du Plessis | 3276 Runs

Faf Du Plessis, who guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the playoffs last season, has the most runs in IPL during 2018-2024 period. He has scored 3276 runs in 84 matches at an average of 39.01 and a strike rate of 140.04.

He was also sensational with the bat as he scored 438 runs in 2022 season. It came after a brilliant run with the bat in 2023 when he scored over 700 runs for RCB.

Prior to his stint with Bangalore, Du Plessis enjoyed a highly successful tenure with the Chennai Super Kings, winning IPL titles in 2018 and 2021. 

The Proteas batter boasts an impressive record in the overall tournament, scoring 4,571 runs in 145 matches, including 37 half-centuries.

Also Read: Most Wickets in IPL history

2. Virat Kohli | 3586 Runs

Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s struggles in recent seasons, Virat Kohli continued to shine with the bat in every season. He amassed 3586 runs since 2018 season at an average of 40.29 and a strike rate of 134.7, reminding everyone why he is one of the greatest batsmen in T20 cricket.

Kohli has four centuries and 25 half-centuries to his name. His IPL career has seen him hit 339 fours and 163 sixes during this period.

Kohli also scored the most runs in IPL in history with 8004 runs in 252 matches, including 8 centuries and 55 fifties.

1. KL Rahul | 3958 Runs

KL Rahul has hammered 3,958 runs in 79 matches since the start of IPL 2018. He has scored the most runs in IPL this period. 

The tally includes four tons and 33 fifties. Rahul is the only batter to slam 3,000-plus IPL runs in this period. Shikhar Dhawan (3,208), the only other batter to score 2,500-plus since IPL 2018, follows Rahul on this tally.