Ahead of Rohit Sharma's TV debut, here are the cricketers who made the jump from the pitch to television

For years, cricketers have been among the biggest stars on Indian television, but some have gone a step further than simply appearing as guests. Once the cameras moved away from the stadium, several familiar faces from the cricket field found themselves taking charge of the show itself.

Rohit Sharma is now set to join that growing list, taking on a television hosting role for the first time. But he is hardly the first cricketer to discover that commanding a room in a studio can be very different from commanding the crease.


Rohit Sharma is preparing for a new chapter away from cricket as he makes his television hosting debut with Family Full House with Rohit Sharma.

The game-and-nostalgia programme is scheduled to air on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV. India TV News reported in August 2026 that the former India captain would be making his television debut with the show.

Announced as part of Sony's content slate, the programme will combine a game format with nostalgic elements, giving viewers an opportunity to see a different side of Rohit beyond his cricketing career.

His move into television comes as the Mumbai-born cricketer continues to remain one of the most recognisable faces in Indian sport. This time, however, he will be holding the microphone rather than the bat.

Long before Rohit Sharma's television debut, Sourav Ganguly had already established himself as a familiar face on the small screen. Ganguly began hosting Dadagiri Unlimited, a Bengali-language quiz show on Zee Bangla, on July 27, 2009.


He hosted the programme from 2009 to 2011 before returning in 2013 and continuing through 2024. Mithun Chakraborty hosted the show during Ganguly's absence between 2012 and 2013.

The former India captain has now returned to television in an entirely different setting. In August 2026, Ganguly took on the role of host of Bigg Boss Bangla, marking his first association with the Bigg Boss franchise.

The third season premiered on Star Jalsha and JioHotstar on August 30, 2026. His return marked another television chapter for a cricketer who has successfully made the transition from the pitch to the studio.

Virender Sehwag has also explored the world of television hosting, taking on formats that allowed his famously straightforward personality to come through.

The former India opener has hosted Power Play with Champions and later took on hosting duties for the reality show Rise and Fall. He had also previously appeared as a guest on Dadagiri Unlimited during a special cricket-themed episode alongside Ganguly.

Sehwag's move into television reflects the appeal former cricketers can have once they step away from competitive cricket. His reputation for humour and unfiltered commentary has translated naturally into entertainment formats, particularly shows built around competition and personalities.


Navjot Singh Sidhu was one of the early Indian cricketers to establish a major presence on mainstream television. After his playing career, Sidhu appeared across comedy and reality formats.

He became particularly well known for his association with Kapil Sharma's comedy programmes. His distinctive style, one-liners and energetic presence made him a recognisable television personality in his own right.

Sidhu also experienced reality television from the other side of the format when he participated as a contestant on the Hindi edition of Bigg Boss.

His television journey therefore went beyond a brief post-cricket appearance. Over the years, Sidhu became one of the most prominent examples of an Indian cricketer successfully reinventing himself for television.

Even cricket's biggest India-Pakistan rivalry could not keep television from bringing the sport's stars together. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram appeared as a judge on Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, a reality show that aired on Colors TV in 2008.

The series ran for 10 episodes between September 26 and October 25, with Akram and Sushmita Sen serving as judges while Sandhya Mridul hosted the programme.

The concept paired cricketers with actresses for a dance-based competition, putting Akram in a television role far removed from his legendary fast-bowling career.


His participation was notable not only because of his stature in Pakistan cricket but also because of the cross-border popularity that allowed a former Pakistani captain to become part of an Indian entertainment production.

Now, Rohit will get his own opportunity to make that transition when Family Full House with Rohit Sharma arrives on television.