Member of overactors Hyde plays a match at MSK Ground in Hyderabad: Special arrangement
About 40 km from Hyderabad, a 20 -over cricket match is going on under the floodlights at MSK Ground in Shankarpali. A group of professionals from different regions come with bats, stumps and a hard tennis ball. Overctor Hyde, playing against another team of cricket enthusiastic people, “EUUU!”, “Firei!”, And “Puli!” (Tiger, in Telugu) to promote the morale and performance of his comrades.
Carve
Sandeep Tadi and Yash Puri. Shot on OnePlus #Framesofindia | Photo Credit: Neerja Murthy
The play peaks with playful one-liners, his favorite is a loud “Abbabababa!” Whenever the hard tennis ball falls behind the border. While the teams joined hands after the match, the highlight is a mutual praise exchanged by players from both sides. In many cricket formats embraced by enthusiasts in Hyderabad, the overactors Hyde stands out – its members largely carve in a place in the cricketing scenario of the city from the creative community.
Inspired slogans
Abhi is a wicket
Milega Milega ISS Bar Milega Wicket
Vasthundi Six Vasthundi ee Ball
EE batsman Ni held Cheykapothi Chalu, Manam Gelichstamu
Love for cricket
Theater professionals Sandeep Tadi and J Jha co-establish the overalls hide (@overactorshyd) in 2021 as a place to re-awaken their love for cricket for artists in 2021. A fast bowler-the medium-piker, Sandeep, a rapid bowler after a shoulder injury, says, “We all love the game, but had to focus over time for different reasons. This group gave us a way to re-connect with that passion.”
A theater began as a circle initiative that soon expanded to include writers, choreographers, sound engineers, filmmakers, photographers and musicians. Sandeep said, “There is a great cameradari. It looks like catching with friends on Saturday evening or Sunday morning for a good game of cricket.”
From the creative side
Member of overactors Hyde plays a match at MSK Ground in Hyderabad: Special arrangement
Group was played continuously for two years before a break in 2023 after a break. While it began as a place for creative, it now welcomes individuals from different regions. Stand-up comedian Vivek Muralitharan, actor Mayank Parakh, Yash Puri, Srinivas Reddy, and Theater professional Jonas David and Surabi Santosh, along with students of Annapurna College of Film and Media are also included in the team.
Known for his fearless batting, holy Karthik, Yash Puri, Sandeep Verma, and Kamlesh Edida have been described by Captain Sandeep Tadi as players who take any bowler with confidence. Sandeep selects his game 11 based on availability. The group now claims 74 members, played 81 matches, and the score uses the Crichero app to track Live.
Theater artist and director J Jha believes that the stage is not the only place where artists shine. “We bring stories for life on stage, but in the field of cricket, we script a different type of drama – one of teamwork, passion and pure bliss,” he says.
to stay fit
All sets for the match. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Actor Yash Puri gets a chance to fall out and squeeze in his love for cricket. “Shoot schedules can last up to 12–14 hours. While I focus on staying in that headspace, cricket helps me relax,” he says. Although late matches sometimes disrupt the routine of his night, he still plays regularly – it keeps him active and fit.
What the group set is a strong sense of support. It is not just fast fielding or impressive bowling that earns applause; The team is also standing with each other in defeat. “There are days when I lose my wicket quickly, but my colleagues are in a hurry to raise my souls,” Yash says.
As a name, Sandeep shares with a laugh, “Sometimes, theater actors are asked to overact on the stage. Since many of us come from theater, we thought why it is not? That’s how we became overactors.”
Published – 03 April, 2025 10:48 am IST
