5 Indian cricketers and Bollywood stars with similar personalities and career graphs

A light-hearted analysis of top Indian cricketers and Bollywood stars with similar personas, progressions and downfalls. Without further ado, here is the list:

1. Sachin Tendulkar - Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

The two icons of their respective fields. Masters of their skills, and role models for all aspirants.

Tendulkar hit his stride from an early age itself. He sent shockwaves around the world with a record partnership with Vinod Kambli after debuting at the age of 16, and had already established himself as the top batsman of his era in his mid-20s. On the other hand, Mr. Bachchan took some time to establish his credentials.

However, both gentlemen quickly became the forerunners of their respective industries, often touted as the men on whom the entire sport or business relied on. That remained true even at the back end of their careers.

Despite their numerous accolodates both Tendulkar and Bachchan are known to be extremely humble, exceptionally diplomatic and conspicuous in their contribution to society. On multiple instances, the entire nation has come together to support these individuals in their endeavours with zealous fanaticism.

Undoubtedly, these two will remain in the history books as the best of their spheres for a long time.

2. Virender Sehwag - Salman Khan

Virender Sehwag

Salman Khan, much like Virender Sehwag, has built a career on style and attitude. Both men are not the most technically proficient, but they have overcome their shortcomings with a mantra that ensures they never complicate situations.

Despite minimal footwork, Sehwag forged a legendary career by adopting an aggressive, uncomplicated approach to batting. He often played on the psychological fear he imposed on bowlers with his aggression. While this approach occasionally resulted in disappointment, when Sehwag was in his zone no opposition could come in his way - he could single-handedly tip the match in the Indian team's favor.

Similarly, Salman Khan too has molded a career on an uncomplicated approach to acting, takes and dialogue. His focus on style and charisma over acting skill has created a legion of fans who completely adore all his movies. Due to the reliance on Salman's charisma, his films either break all past records or fail miserably.

Both men are not afraid to speak their mind either, which has often lead to controversy.

3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni - Aamir Khan

MS Dhoni

Aamir Khan

The tacticians, the perfectionists and the master strategists.

MS Dhoni is arguably the greatest Indian cricket captain in history, with a trophy cabinet that boasts all available ICC trophies. Dhoni often stressed on the importance of 'process' over results, and often chose to put his personal gains on the backseat for the sake of the bigger picture. His position in the lower order was notable in the foresight it showed towards building a strong batting line-up.

Aamir Khan is probably Bollywood's most successful actor in modern times, with multiple internationally recognised blockbuster hits. Aamir too often preaches the importance of 'process', paying a lot of attention to the smallest details. While his star power is needed in several films, he only contributes in projects where he feels the bigger picture is worth the effort - all Aamir Khan movies are seen as a group effort and never a one-man show.

4. Virat Kohli - Ranveer Singh

Virat Kohli

One word that defines both gentlemen: passion.

These two are outsiders who made it to the top echelon of their respective industries through pure commitment and hard work. You can see the love for their art in each outing, and it seems there isn't enough time for both to achieve all the goals they have set out to achieve.

Virat Kohli and Ranveer Singh have had surprisingly similar career graphs. Both burst on to the scene with immense success - Kohli having won the U-19 World Cup and Singh with his success from his debut movie Band Baaja Baaraat.

However, despite the initial success, they took some time to settle. They took the failures in their stride, worked harder than anyone else in the room, developed an insatiable appetite for success and rose frighteningly through the ranks.

Today these self-made men are the true leaders of their locker rooms, and their best years and work are still ahead of them.

5. Yuvraj Singh - Sanjay Dutt

Portraits - 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards - Monaco

They rose and they fell.

Yuvraj Singh, son of former cricketer and actor Yograj Singh, burst onto the scene with a certain pedigree and lots of first-class cricket notoriety. An epitome of self-confidence, style and class, Yuvraj often constructed his innings with great ease. His personality was ingrained in his cricket and batting style, and he seemed destined for greatness from the outset.

Similarly Sanjay Dutt, son of reputed actor and director Sunil Dutt and reigning female actor of her times Nargis, had a great pedigree which was backed by his quasi-effortless portrayals on screen. His 'rockstar' image was synonymous with his on-screen portrayals, which in turn seemed synonymous with his real life personality traits.

As things would turn out, these extremely talented gentlemen would find their careers disrupted and abruptly shortened. While Dutt was charged with illegal possession of arms and subsequently jailed, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer after his 2011 World Cup heroics.

Even though Yuvraj's fall was completely unsolicited in comparison to Dutt's, it did however significantly affect a potential legendary career and he was never able to return as the same individual.

Both men, once destined for greatness, will always the heavy question hanging around them - 'what if?'