5 cricketers who have hosted reality TV shows

Cricket and entertainment have long shared a close relationship in the subcontinent, and several prominent players have taken that connection a step further by stepping in front of the camera as television hosts.

From long-running quiz formats to prime-time reality shows, the transition from the cricket field to the television studio has become a recognisable path for a number of well-known names in the sport.

Here are 5 cricketers who have hosted reality TV shows

5. Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram served as a judge on Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, an Indian reality series broadcast on Colors TV. The show ran for one season of 10 episodes, airing from September 26 to October 25 2008. Sushmita Sen and Akram served as judges on the programme, which was hosted by Sandhya Mridul.

The series featured cricketers paired with actresses in a dance-based format. Akram's participation as a judge on an Indian television production was notable given his status as a former Pakistani captain, and it underlined the cross-border appeal that top cricketers carry in the entertainment space.

4. Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu is among the earliest Indian cricketers to have built a significant presence on mainstream television. He served as a judge on comedy and reality programmes, including a prominent role alongside Kapil Sharma on a popular comedy show.

Sidhu's television career spanned multiple formats and ran for several years, making him one of the most recognisable cricketer-turned-television personalities in India. He also participated as a contestant on the Hindi edition of Bigg Boss, giving him experience on both sides of the reality television format. His transition from international cricket to television is widely regarded as one of the most complete in Indian sport.

3. Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag has hosted more than one television format. He hosted Power Play with Champions and also took on hosting duties for the reality format Rise and Fall. Sehwag has previously appeared on Dadagiri Unlimited as a guest during a special cricket-themed episode alongside former India captain Sourav Ganguly.

His willingness to take on different television formats reflects a broader trend of former India cricketers engaging with the entertainment industry after their playing days. Sehwag's hosting stints, particularly on Rise and Fall, added a recognisable sporting face to a competitive reality format.

2. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly is perhaps the most prominent cricketer to have built a sustained television hosting career. He first appeared as the host of Dadagiri Unlimited, a Bengali-language quiz show on Zee Bangla, which first aired on July 27 2009. Ganguly presented the show from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2024, with Mithun Chakraborty filling in during 2012 to 2013.

In August 2026, Ganguly returned to television hosting with Bigg Boss Bangla, entering the Bigg Boss franchise for the first time with its Bengali edition. The third season of the show premiered on August 30 2026 on Star Jalsha and JioHotstar, marking his first association with EndemolShine India and a return to television hosting after a gap of roughly ten years.

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is set to make his television hosting debut on a game-and-nostalgia programme titled Family Full House with Rohit Sharma, which is scheduled to air on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV. India TV News confirmed in August 2026 that Rohit was set for a television debut with his own show.

The programme was announced as part of Sony's content slate and represents the first time the former India captain has taken on a hosting role on Indian television. The show blends a game format with nostalgic elements and is expected to bring Rohit's personality to a mainstream entertainment audience beyond the cricket field.