Messi and Ronaldo will take the centre stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026 early tomorrow morning, but the evening belongs to Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandana and Jemimah Rodrigues as the ‘Women in Blue’ take on Australia at Lord’s in a juicy ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match that could book us a berth at the tournament’s semi-finals.

The Women in Blue have in the last decade inspired Bollywood producers to make cricket theme films that range from biographical sports dramas to lighthearted romantic comedies. From ‘Dil Bole Hadippa!’ (2009), a story about a woman who disguises herself as a man to play in a men's league, to ‘Shabaash Mithu’ (2022), in which Taapsee Pannu chronicles the life of Indian cricket icon Mithali Raj.

There have been other films that indirectly lauded the grit, passion, and sheer talent of the Women in Blue. Stories that validate the journeys of countless women who overcame barriers and chased their cricket dreams.‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi’ (2024) explores a unique marital dynamic between a failed, but passionate cricketer who dedicates himself to coaching his wife for the national cricket team. The film stars Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor.

‘Dil Bole Hadippa!’ (2009) was a lively sports comedy starring Rani Mukerji as a highly skilled cricketer who faces gender bias. ‘Ghoomer’ (2023) features Saiyami Kher as a talented batter whose career is tragically derailed by a debilitating injury.

There have been other films with cricket themes in which the actresses did not represent a player from among the Women in Blue. Like ‘The Zoya Factor’ (2019), a romantic comedy with Sonam Kapoor playing an advertising executive who accidentally becomes the lucky charm for the Indian men's national cricket team during the World Cup. And ‘Meerabai Not Out’ (2008), a lighthearted film with Mandira Bedi that highlights a cricket-crazed female fan navigating her life and relationships.