Comparison between Indian cricket superstars and their Bollywood counterparts

Cricket and movies are the most popular means of entertainment in India. We love to make stars and adore them. They treat players like Sachin as demigods and revere actors like Amir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan throughout India.

Today I have compared the Bollywood actors and Indian cricket players in terms of love, hate, hype, and versatility.

---

#1. The Underdog

The title belongs to none other than Rahul Dravid. He was a superstar player who played during the time of Sachin Tendulkar and hence never hogged the limelight. Dravid had a perfect technique, sound temperament, and amazing skill to overcome any situation. He played 164 Test matches and scored 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31.

2012 IIFA Awards - Day 3

Rishi Kapoor is one of the most talented actors, but he seldom got recognition. One reason is that he acted in an era which Amitabh Bachchan ruled. Amitabh overshadowed almost all of his contemporaries. He gave us many hits in movies like Bobby, Karz, Sagar, and other. Of late, Rishi has played his age and he is getting rewards for his hard work.

#2. The Overhyped

Sourav Ganguly of India

Sourav Ganguly has to be the most over-hyped cricket player to have played for India. He was an average batsman who scored 7212 Test runs at an average of 42.12 which is just about okay. As a captain, he led the best team comprising legends like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dravid, and Laxman which makes his captaincy record good. Sourav was more a popular face than a strategist.

Shammi acting in a movie

Shammi Kapoor is the most overhyped actor. He was an average actor with decent looks. Shammi featured in 50 movies as a lead actor, and they considered him a superstar of his time. His acting was superficial and lacked nuanced expressions. Shammi was more of a gimmickry artist than an accomplished actor.

---

#3. Most Versatile

Australia v India - Game 3

Virat Kohli is the most versatile player of Indian cricket. He plays in all the forms of cricket. Kohli scores run at will and quickly adapts to any condition. Virat has become a living legend and an admired player.

61st Berlin Film Festival - Grand Opening

Amir Khan is the most gifted and versatile actor ever. He pioneered the concept of one movie at one time. Amir also started the trend of changing his physical looks to suit the character he was playing. He has played a cop, a criminal, a con artist, a college boy and even a Mangal Pandey.

#4. Loved by All

2011 ICC World Cup Semi-Final Preview - India v Pakistan - Day 2

Virender Sehwag was a pure entertainer in cricket. Loved by all, even by some opposition players, he scored runs at will. Ian Chapell loved him and considered him ahead of Tendulkar. They love him for his comments in the commentary box.

The 2007 IIFA Awards Ceremony - Arrivals

They love Salman Khan unequivocally. He has been acting for the last 30 years and still going great. Known as ‘bhaijaan’, he is the superstar of masses. Salman is gifted and talented which makes him loved by men and women alike.

---

#5. Most Hated

India v South Africa 1st ODI Calcutta 1991

He was the superstar player of India, but after match-fixing scandal broke out, Azharuddin became the most hated figure in Indian cricket. The scandal made him one of the most disliked cricket player of India. A judicial probe found him innocent, but the damage had been done.

2012 IIFA Awards - Day 2

Vivek Oberoi is probably the most hated actor in Bollywood. Though a good actor, he has been made out to be a negative guy after his spat with Salman Khan.

#6. Simply the Best

Winning Captain's Press Conference - 2011 ICC World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar is the best. He broke all the cricket records and they feel it is impossible to break them. Sachin gave immense joy to the Indian audience and fans. He was their hope, and they lived their dreams through his batting.

Marrakech International Film Festival - 'Tribute To Hindi Cinema'

Can anyone think of any other actor apart from Amitabh Bachchan for this spot? He is supremely talented, highly gifted and hard working. Amitabh has ruled the film industry for the last 45 years and is still going strong.