| Director | Gowtam Tinnanuri, Gowtham Tinnanuri |
|---|---|
| Budget | ₹25 crore |
| Box office | ₹51.7 crore |
In 2019, New York City, a young man named Nani visits a bookstore and purchases a book titled Jersey. Shortly after, a woman arrives inquiring about the same book. Without hesitation, Nani offers her his copy. When she asks why he was so willing to part with it, Nani explains that the book chronicles the life of his father, Arjun. Soon after, he receives a call from the BCCI, inviting him to a ceremony honoring his late father’s contributions to cricket. At the event, attended by his mother Sarah, Arjun’s friends, BCCI officials, and former cricketers, Nani is presented with a special Indian cricket team jersey bearing the name “Arjun,” evoking vivid memories of his father’s life.
The story flashes back to Hyderabad in 1986, where Arjun is a talented Ranji Trophy cricketer with aspirations of representing India. Despite his talent, he faces repeated rejection due to selection politics, eventually leading to disillusionment and his withdrawal from professional cricket. Arjun secures a government job through the sports quota but loses it after being falsely accused of bribery, compounding his struggles. By 1996, Arjun, now 36, is unemployed and struggling to support his family. Sarah frequently urges him to legally clear his name, while their young son, Nani, asks for an Indian cricket team jersey for his birthday. Though financially strained, Arjun promises to fulfill his son’s wish.
Desperate to provide for his son, Arjun seeks assistance from friends, but none are willing to help. His former coach, Murthy, arranges for him to play in a charity match between Hyderabad and a visiting New Zealand team, with a promised fee of ₹1,000 intended to fund the jersey. Arjun delivers an exceptional performance, only to discover that the match was entirely charitable and offered no compensation. Frustrated and overwhelmed, he reacts harshly when Nani asks about the jersey again, an incident he later deeply regrets.
Motivated by his son’s admiration and love, Arjun resolves to return to cricket, despite his age. Coach Murthy, though initially skeptical, supports him. Arjun attends the Ranji selection trials, where he is mocked and rejected due to his age. A subsequent article by journalist Ramya, highlighting his perseverance and dedication, persuades the selectors to give him an opportunity. Arjun capitalizes on this chance, performing brilliantly and earning a place on the Hyderabad team.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s father offers to fund a legal case to help Arjun reclaim his previous job, but Arjun, finding renewed purpose in cricket, declines. During the semifinals, he leads his team to victory despite suffering severe chest pains. Though doctors urge him to undergo medical tests, financial constraints and commitment to the game compel him to continue. In the Ranji Trophy final, Hyderabad faces adversity, yet Arjun rises to the occasion, guiding the team to a remarkable victory before collapsing shortly afterward.
Returning to 2019, Nani recounts at the felicitation that Arjun had secretly suffered from arrhythmia since the age of 26. His earlier withdrawal from cricket was not due to weakness, but illness. Yet, when it mattered most, he returned to the sport, risking everything to fulfill a simple promise to his son. Arjun’s journey demonstrates that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams and that dedication and perseverance can transcend age and circumstance.