Cricketers are usually seen either on the field during matches or off the field during training, media interactions, and social media updates. However, a few of them have stepped outside the sporting arena and into the world of reality television. Over the years, several cricketers have participated in Bigg Boss, the Indian reality show adapted from the original Dutch series Big Brother.Bigg Boss first aired in India in 2006 Hindi version and has since become one of the country's most popular reality shows.
Let's look at the five cricketers who participated in Bigg BossFormer Indian cricketer Salil Ankola was the first from the sport to enter the Bigg Boss house. A right-arm pacer, Ankola played one Test and 20 ODIs for India, with his last international match coming in 1997 against South Africa in Durban. He also represented Maharashtra in first-class cricket and was part of India's squad for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Ankola appeared in Bigg Boss Season 1 but had to leave mid-season due to contractual obligations with Balaji Telefilms.
The explosive Vinod Kambli entered Bigg Boss Season 3 in 2009 as a wild card contestant. He is known for his memorable partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar, and played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India, averaging an impressive 54.20 in Test cricket. His stint in the show was short-lived, marked by emotional moments and controversies, which led to his eviction. His participation also sparked conversations about mental health in sports.