Meet Overactors Hyd, passionate cricket lovers from Hyderabad

Members of Overactors Hyd play a match at MSK Ground in Hyderabad
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A 20-over cricket match is underway under the floodlights at MSK Ground in Shankarpally, about 40 kms from Hyderabad. A group of professionals from various fields arrive with bats, stumps, and a hard tennis ball. The Overactors Hyd, playing against another team of cricket enthusiasts, cheer with cries of “Eeuuuu!”, “Fireeee!”, and “Puli!” (Tiger, in Telugu) to boost their teammates’ morale and performance.

Carving a niche

The drama peaks with playful one-liners, their favourite being a loud “Abbabbabbabba!” whenever the hard tennis ball sails past the boundary. While the teams shake hands post-match, the highlight is the mutual praise exchanged by players on both sides. Among the many cricket formats embraced by enthusiasts across Hyderabad, Overactors Hyd stands out — its members largely hail from the creative community, carving a niche in the city’s cricketing landscape.

Love for cricket

Theatre professionals Sandeep Tadi and Jay Jha co-founded Overactors Hyd (@overactorshyd on Instagram) in 2021 as a space for artistes to rekindle their love for cricket. “We have all loved the game but had to shift focus over time for different reasons. This group gave us a way to reconnect with that passion,” says Sandeep, a fast bowler-turned-medium-pacer after a shoulder injury.

What began as a theatre circle initiative soon expanded to include writers, choreographers, sound engineers, filmmakers, photographers and musicians. “There’s a great camaraderie. It feels like catching up with friends on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning for a good game of cricket,” adds Sandeep, who also co-founded city-based theatre group Storyboard Productions.

From the creative side

The group played consistently for two years before regrouping after a break in 2023. While it began as a space for creatives, it now welcomes individuals from various fields. Alongside stand-up comedian Vivek Muralidharan, actors Mayank Parakh, Yash Puri, Srinivas Reddy, and theatre professionals Jonas David and Surabhi Santosh, the team also includes students from Annapurna College of Film and Media.

Known for their fearless batting, Pavan Karthik, Yash Puri, Sandeep Varma, and Kamalesh Edida are described by captain Sandeep Tadi as players who take on any bowler with confidence. Sandeep selects his playing 11 based on availability. The group now boasts 74 members, has played 81 matches, and uses the CricHeroes app to track scores live.

Theatre artiste and director Jay Jha believes that the stage is not the only space where artistes shine. “We bring stories to life on stage, but on the cricket field, we script a different kind of drama — one of teamwork, passion, and pure joy,” he says.

To stay fit

Actor Yash Puri enjoys the chance to be outdoors and squeeze in his love for cricket. “Shoot schedules can run up to 12–14 hours. While I’m focused on staying in that headspace, cricket helps me unwind,” he says. Though the late matches sometimes disrupt his night routine, he still plays regularly — it keeps him active and fit.

What sets the group apart is its strong sense of support. It is not just sharp fielding or impressive bowling that earns applause; the team stands by each other even in defeat. “There are days I lose my wicket early, but my teammates are quick to lift my spirits,” Yash adds.

As for the name, Sandeep shares with a laugh, “Sometimes, theatre actors are said to overact on stage. Since many of us come from theatre, we thought why not own it? That’s how we became Overactors Hyd.”