11 Best Cricket-Based Indian Movies of All Time
Cricket is a popular sport in many countries, and it has inspired several movies over the years. It is no surprise then that cricket movies have also become a popular genre in cinema. These movies often revolve around the lives of famous cricketers, highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and personal lives. They also showcase the intense emotional connection that players and their fans share with the game. For cricket enthusiasts, these movies are a delightful way to relive old matches and appreciate the game’s glory. we have compiled a list of Indian movies that should be on every cricket fan’s must-watch list.
The first cricket movie in India was released in 1959 and was directed by Subodh Mukherjee. Titled ‘Love Marriage’, the film featured Dev Anand and Mala Sinha in lead roles.
In This Content
List of Best Cricket-Based Indian Movies
1. Jersey (2019)
IMDb Rating: 8.5
The movie revolves around the story of a failed cricketer named Arjun, who once played cricket for the Indian cricket team but was soon forced to leave the sport due to his poor performance. Several years later, when Arjun’s son is diagnosed with a rare heart condition, he decides to return to the sport to fulfill his son’s dream of seeing him play cricket. The movie follows Arjun’s journey as he struggles to get back into shape and regain his lost glory. The movie is shot beautifully, and the performances by the cast, especially Nani, who played the lead role of Arjun, were praised by critics and audiences alike. The movie shows a very emotional and heart-warming side of cricket and the importance of perseverance and never giving up. Later a Hindi remake of the film of the same name, film stars Shahid Kapoor in the lead role released in 2022.
Watch online on- SonyLiv
2. Lagaan (2001)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
An epic in the history of Indian cinema. Lagaan is a Bollywood sports drama film released in 2001, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and starring Aamir Khan in the lead role. The film is set in the late 19th century and revolves around a group of Indian villagers who challenge their British rulers to a cricket match to avoid paying an oppressive tax known as “Lagaan.” It’s not only playing cricket but the struggle against colonialism, racism and untouchability. The patriotic movie is about revealing the Indian culture, and customs of villagers along with fabulous music, and dance and tells the victory of teamwork with good leadership. The film was critically acclaimed and received several awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Watch online on- Netflix
3. Iqbal (2005)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
“Iqbal” is a Bollywood sports drama film released in 2005, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and starring Shreyas Talpade in the lead role. The film is about a deaf and mute boy named Iqbal who dreams of becoming a cricketer and overcoming the obstacles in his path. With the help of a former cricketer, played by Naseeruddin Shah, Iqbal trains hard and eventually makes it to the national team. The film was praised for its inspiring story and performances and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
Watch online on- Amazon Prime Video
4. Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017)
IMDb Rating: 8.5
Sachin: A Billion Dreams is a documentary film based on the life of Sachin Tendulkar, a legendary Indian cricketer, directed by James Erskine. The movie chronicles the life journey of Sachin, starting from his early days as a young boy with a passion for cricket to his rise as one of the greatest batsmen in the world. It also showcases his personal struggles and the sacrifices he made to become one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world. The movie is both inspiring and emotional, as it takes the viewers through some of the most defining moments of Tendulkar’s life and career. It also gives an insight into the man behind the player, showing his love for his family and his deep commitment to the game. For cricket fans, this movie is a must-watch, as it celebrates the icon and his contribution to the sport.
Watch online on- SonyLiv
5. Kai Po Che (2013)
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Late. actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s debut film Kai Po Che showed that he was not only a good actor but Cricketer as well did the MS Dhoni Biopic film later in 2016. Apart from Sushant, the film also stars Amit Sadh, and Rajkummar Rao in the lead roles. The movie is based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel “The 3 Mistakes of My Life” and follows the story of three friends who start a business together but face various challenges in their personal and professional lives. This is a must-watch if you’re looking for something motivating, and at the same teaches you that downsides in life should never be an obstacle to reaching your goal. The film will always be remembered as Sushant Singh Rajput’s Bollywood debut and as aforementioned, his performance was sincere and convincing.
Watch online on- Netflix
6. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
IMDb Rating: 7.9
This 2016 Indian biographical sports film is based on the life of former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The movie stars Sushant Singh Rajput as Dhoni and chronicles his journey from a young boy in Ranchi, Jharkhand, to becoming the captain of the Indian cricket team and leading them to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. The movie also delves into Dhoni’s personal life, including his relationships with his family, friends, and wife.
Watch online on- Disney+ Hotstar
7. 83 – The Film (2021)
IMDb Rating: 7.5
The movie stars Ranveer Singh as former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev, alongside Deepika Padukone as his wife Romi Bhatia. The film is based on India’s first historic win at the 1983 Cricket World Cup, under Kapil Dev’s Captaincy, where they defeated the West Indies in the final. The movie also features an ensemble cast of talented actors such as Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saqib Saleem, Harrdy Sandhu, Ammy Virk, Jiiva, Pankaj Tripathi, and Boman Irani.
Watch online on- Netflix
8. Kanaa (2018)
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Kanaa is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language sports drama film directed by Arunraja Kamaraj. The film stars Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead role, with Sathyaraj, Darshan, and Sivakarthikeyan in supporting roles. The film revolves around the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a cricketer and how she overcomes various obstacles to achieve her goal. It was also dubbed in Telugu as Kowsalya Krishnamurthy.
Watch online on- SonyLiv
Also read: 10 Successful Bollywood Movies that Were Remade from South Movie
9. Azhar (2016)
IMDb Rating: 5.7
Azhar is another biographical sports drama film based on the life of former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. The film stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, alongside Prachi Desai, Nargis Fakhri, and Lara Dutta. It was released on 13 May 2016 and received mixed reviews from critics. However, Emraan Hashmi’s performance was widely praised. The film depicts Azharuddin’s rise as a cricketer, his controversial personal life, and the match-fixing scandal that led to his ban from cricket.
Watch online on- Youtube
10. Chain Kuli Ki Main Kuli (2007)
IMDb Rating: 5.8
The movie is about Karan (Zain Khan), a 13-year old who lives in an orphanage, and has been brought up on Kapil Dev’s 175 not out in the 1983 World Cup. The film stars Rahul Bose, Rajpal Yadav, and Nandana Sen in lead roles.
Watch online on- Youtube
11. Shabaash Mithu (2022)
IMDb Rating: 5.5
The film stars Taapsee Pannu in the lead role of Indian cricketer Mithali Raj. The story is based on the life of Mithali Raj, who is considered one of the greatest female cricketers in the world. It is a wonderful film. It enlightens the audiences with the kind of practical difficulties and obstacles our women cricketers have to go through.
Watch online on- Netflix
