There was a time when major Bollywood stars avoided television appearances for fear of diminishing their star status. However, the situation has changed. Celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan have started working as hosts on the small screen. Soon, television embraced these big stars, transforming TV from a threat to their popularity into a powerful means of increasing it.
A new trend is now observed that threatens the positions of actors. Producers have made a big bet by shifting focus from actors and comedians to cricketers, assigning them hosting duties. Where previously the leadership of the show rested on the shoulders of major actors or comedians, the focus is now shifted to the cricket pitch. Many sports stars have moved to television and started hosting programs.
Famous personalities like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan demonstrate their abilities as hosts. They, who used to hit the ball on the field, are now taking responsibility for entertaining, surprising, and amusing the audience in front of the camera.
Rohit Sharma, a former captain of India, debuted as a television host in the show 'Family Full House With Rohit Sharma Show', becoming the host. Viewers consider watching Rohit in this role a real pleasure. His characteristic is a calm and relaxed nature; if he aggressively attacked bowlers on the field, on TV he completely entertains the audience.
Virender Sehwag, known as the king of one-liners, has started a new chapter in his career by becoming the host of the mainstream reality show Rise and Fall 2. Before this, he had already participated as a host in the web series 'Viru Ke Funde'. Sehwag's fearlessness, wit, and one-liners guarantee entertainment for viewers.
After conquering the field, Sourav Ganguly, known as 'Dada', has also established his influence among the television audience. He hosted quiz and game shows 'Dadagiri Unlimited', and now hosts Big Boss Bangla. His journey shows that a cricketer can entertain people not only on the field but also in front of the camera, if they can adapt their personality for a hosting role.
Harbhajan Singh hosted the show 'Bhajji Ke Saath Punjabiyan Di Dadagiri'. Additionally, he appeared as a gang leader in Rodigs Rising Season 14. Harbhajan Singh participated as a host/promoter in the wrestling-based reality show 'Ring Ka King'. Harbhajan possesses a strong Punjabi style and an ability to fully entertain, and his comedic remarks are very vivid.
Shikhar Dhawan has always been entertainment-oriented. His 'Gabbar' persona manifests in both the television and digital space after cricket. He added a twist to the sports comedy format by appearing in the show Cricket Darbar alongside RJ Kishna. He later appeared in the show Battleground as a judge. Shikhar Dhawan's energy is his main trait.
The main reason for handing over the direction of television shows to cricketers is their huge fan base. Who would refuse to watch a cricketer whose shots caused excitement in the stadium? Turning a big star into the face of the show is the biggest advertising asset. Cricketers do not need to spend months building their identity on TV; they come with a large audience immediately after the show launches.
In India, cricket is revered as a religion. The popularity of outstanding players can be utilized in reality shows. The popularity of cricketers is not limited to youth; fans are people of all ages.
Another important reason is that everyone wants to see something new. Actors and comedians have been seen many times. However, handing over the direction of shows to cricketers presents an interesting turn. Cricketers do not often display their personality. People know about them mainly through the cricket pitch and social media. In this case, a TV hosting role is an ideal way to attract viewers.
A player on the field has their own image. But when the same player becomes a host of a reality show, viewers see their off-field personality, which sparks curiosity. A cricketer can provide viewers with substantial material by talking about old matches, conflicts, and behind-the-scenes stories from the dressing room.
