Cricketers in reality shows

Almost everyone is attracted to the glamorous world of cinema and cricketers too aren't any different. Several cricketers have featured in Bollywood films and may continue to do so. Apart from that, cricketers have also actively participated in television reality shows. From dancing to Bollywood numbers to getting locked in the Bigg Boss house, cricketers have done it all. Read on to know about what your favourite cricketers have done on the tube.

Farah Khan has done several shows on the small screen. From being a dance show judge to a reality show host, she has done it all. And her latest stint with the medium is a culinary show - Farah Ki Daawat. Recently, Yuvraj Singh and Sania Mirza came as guests on the show. According to a report, Sania had cooked her signature dish - Hyderabadi Chicken 65 on the show. Speaking about it Farah said, "My good friend Sania is coming along with another favourite of mine, Yuvraj Singh. Sania has promised to make Hyderabad's famous Chicken 65, but Yuvi says his dish is a surprise."

An out-and-out cricket-based reality show was launched in 2008 by Colors. Titled Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, the show featured Sushmita Sen and Wasim Akram as judges while several cricketers were participants on the show. According to a report on India-forums.com, the participants on the show included Sreesanth-Surveen Chawla, Harbhajan-Mona Singh, Irfan Pathan-Ashima Bhalla; Dinesh Karthik-Nigar Khan, Nikhil Chopra-Barkha Bisht and Vinod Kambli-Shama Sikander. Harbhajan Singh and Mona Singh eventually emerged as the winner couple.

Whenever he managed to flick a wicket, Sreesanth shook a leg on the pitch and he continued his act with reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. The cricketer had an outburst with the judges on the show. Speaking to PTI about the same, Sreesanth said, "The outburst was more because of the disappointment than anger as I was doing extremely well on the show during the past six weeks. I think I just had a bad day. It was wrong timing and wrong choice of song."

However, Sreesanth is not the only cricketer to have participated in the dance reality show. Even Sri Lankan cricketer, Sanath Jayasuriya, was seen shaking a leg to Bollywood numbers on the show. He was a part of the fifth season of the show and was teamed up with choreographer, Suchitra. Speaking to IANS about his journey on the show Sanath Jayasuriya had said, "It was an amazing experience overall, but a tough one for me. I tried to put in a lot of hard work and enjoyed to the fullest. It was nice to learn a bit of salsa and jive. Before the show I had never performed on a stage and I am happy I could do so."

Navjot Singh Sidhu has had a glorious run on the cricket field and is now a popular man on television too. He as had a long run on the small screen. Apart from being an expert commentator, he has been an entertaining judge on the show, Laughter Challenge, and is currently seen on the most popular TV show - Comedy Nights with Kapil. Navjot Singh Sidhu doles out entertaining shayaris while on the show and seems to be a favourite with the guests. Navjot Singh Sidhu had also participated in the reality show, Bigg Boss 6, but exited after a few weeks to fulfill his other commitments.

Comedy Nights with Kapil is a popular show on the small screen and several cricketers have appeared on the show. Shoaib Akhtar and Harbhajan Singh appeared together on the show. They shared several anecdotes about their antics on the field. Other cricketers who have made an appearance on the show include Ajay Jadeja, Pathan brothers, Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh.

Vinod Kambli signed up to brave the Bigg Boss for three months. However, he was evicted from the show within two weeks of his stay. Speaking to IANS Vinod Kambli said, "In life, you win some, you lose some. I took this show sportingly. I made friends and stayed calm with everyone. So even though I have lost the show and I'm out of it, I feel like I am a winner, especially because I came out without plotting against anyone." However, he entered the show again as wild card entrant, but didn't stay long enough to win the show.

Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds was also a part of the controversial reality show, Bigg Boss. According to a PTI report, Andrew Symonds had a wonderful experience on the show, he said, "It was a wonderful experience being on the show as I learnt simple things of day-to-day living. It was a good Indian culinary experience. I tasted chicken curry and learnt a few Indian spices. Though there was heavy politics in the house, I developed a bond with Siddharth as we talked a lot about cricket. I was starting to get to know Mahek (Chahal) when she left."