You Won’t Believe These 10 Indian Films Are All About Cricket – But They’ll Keep You Hooked Till the End
In India, cricket isn’t just a sport. It’s what people love in their hearts. It unites families, fills up stadiums, and makes legends. And when that emotion is brought onto screen, it makes some incredible cinema.
Here are 10 Indian films in which cricket features prominently. Some are tearjerkers, some are inspirational, and a couple of them are simply pure enjoyment. Let’s explore them — along with who stars in them, how the crowd felt, and where to see them today.
1. Lagaan (2001)
- Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
- Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Paul Blackthorne
- Audience Acceptance: Massive blockbuster and one of India’s favorite movies. It even got nominated for an Oscar.
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
- Story: In British India, villagers are asked to pay an extortionate tax (lagaan). They have one opportunity to escape it: beat the British at a game of cricket — a sport they’ve never played.
2. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
- Director: Neeraj Pandey
- Cast. Sushant Singh Rajput, Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, Anupam Kher
- Audience Acceptance: Loved by audiences and critics alike. Sushant’s performance in particular was widely appreciated.
- Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar
- Story: This biopic is based on the true story of Mahendra Singh Dhoni — his childhood to being India’s most successful captain.
3. 83 (2021)
- Director: Kabir Khan
- Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi
- Audience Acceptance: Applauded for its truthful narrative and performances.
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar
- Story: An inspiring recreation of India’s historic 1983 Cricket World Cup win, led by captain Kapil Dev.
4. Jersey (2019 – Telugu) / (2022 – Hindi)
- Director: Gowtam Tinnanuri
- Cast (Telugu): Nani, Shraddha Srinath
- Cast (Hindi): Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur
- Audience Acceptance: Telugu version was well-liked. Hindi remake received mixed responses but Shahid’s performance was appreciated.
- Where to Watch: Netflix (Hindi), Disney+ Hotstar (Telugu)
- Story: A former cricketer gets a comeback in his late 30s — not for celebrity status, but to grant his son’s little wish.
5. Iqbal (2005)
- Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
- Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad
- Audience Acceptance: Critically well-received. Became a sleeper hit and inspired many.
- Where to Watch: Zee5, YouTube (paid)
- Story: A mute and deaf boy aspires to become a cricketer. With diligent effort and a suitable mentor, he pursues his dream in the face of adversity.
Collapsible
Among a sea of love stories, action movies, and formula comedies, there are Indian films that take the story-telling envelope …
6. Kai Po Che! (2013)
- Director: Abhishek Kapoor
- Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh
- Audience Acceptance: Critically well-received and emotionally powerful.
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
- Story: Three friends set up a cricket coaching academy in Gujarat but have their lives disrupted by real-life issues such as riots and political unrest.
7. Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017)
- Director: James Erskine
- Cast: Sachin Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag (documentary cameos)
- Audience Acceptance: A delight for Sachin fans; emotional and nostalgic.
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube (paid)
- Story: A docu-drama about the life of cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, narrated in his own words through actual footage and interviews.
8. Chain Kulli Ki Main Kulli (2007)
- Director: Karanjeet Saluja
- Cast: Zain Khan, Rahul Bose, Rajat Bedi
- Audience Acceptance: A children’s hit; plain and feel-good.
- Where to Watch: YouTube (free)
- Story: An orphaned boy of 13 stumbles upon a magical bat, which makes him an Indian cricket star. A light-hearted blend of cricket and a child’s imagination.
9. Patiala House (2011)
- Director: Nikkhil Advani
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, Anushka Sharma
- Audience Acceptance: Generally mixed reviews, but appreciated for emotional value.
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
- Story: A young man in London dreams of playing cricket for England, but his patriarchal father insists that he abandon the dream. It’s a tale of family, identity, and pursuing your dreams.
10. Victory (2009)
- Director: Ajitpal Mangat
- Cast: Harman Baweja, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher
- Audience Acceptance: Did not fare well at the box office, but well-liked among cricket fans for the cameos.
- Where to Watch: YouTube (paid), Amazon Prime Video
- Story: A boy from a small town rises to become an international cricketer but loses everything because of fame. He comes back the hard way is the actual story.
Final thoughts
These films aren’t actually about cricket — they’re about hope, struggle, friendship, family, and belief. Every story’s different, but they all share one thing in common: the passion of pursuing your dream with all your heart.
Whether you are a cricket enthusiast or simply a person who enjoys fine storytelling, these films are definitely worth viewing.
So, which do you begin with today?
