The film opens with Indian cricketer Azhar Emraan Hashmi scoring a century in his 99th Test, but the moment is marred when his name surfaces in match-fixing allegations tied to a London-based bookie, M.K. Sharma [Rajesh Sharma](/actor/rajesh-sharma) — widely whispered about as Shaun. The Indian cricket board responds with a life ban, and Azhar resolves to challenge the decision in court with the help of his lawyer friend Ramakanth Reddy [Kunaal Roy Kapur](/actor/kunaal-roy-kapur).
The narrative then travels back to 1963, tracing Azhar’s birth into a comfortable middle‑class family in Hyderabad. His grandfather dreams of watching Azhar play 100 Tests for India and fuels a quiet, determined kid who answers rivals with his growing batting skill. On the day of a Mumbai selection match, Azhar receives news of his grandfather’s death, yet he presses on in accordance with his last wish. He impresses the selectors, secures his place on Team India, and quickly becomes a national figure after delivering three consecutive centuries in his first three Tests. He marries Naureen [Prachi Desai](/actor/prachi-desai), and the couple begins a seemingly happy life.
After a defeat to Pakistan in 1991, the Board’s president invites Azhar to a private meeting and unexpectedly offers him the captaincy. Some senior teammates resist the idea, not wanting to answer to a younger captain, but Varun Badola Kapil Jain provides support and encouragement, urging Azhar to stay focused on his duties. As Azhar leads India through high-stakes matches, he earns both praise and scrutiny. In a clash against Pakistan, Javed taunts him by implying their Muslim faith grants them divine favor on Jumma, prompting Azhar to defend his own heritage and prove his leadership on the field. Under his captaincy, India experiences both triumph and growing pains, and his personal life begins to blur with the glare of fame.
Azhar’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Sangeeta Bijlani [Nargis Fakhri](/actor/nargis-fakhri) during an advertising shoot and is drawn to her beauty. Despite her awareness that he is married, a romance blossoms. Sangeeta cautions him to stay away from her, yet the relationship deepens, and a gossip magazine exposes their affair. Naureen, heartbroken, asks for a divorce, and Azhar leaves Naureen to pursue a marriage with Sangeeta. Meanwhile, a tense match against the West Indies sees Azhar quarrel with teammate Manoj over a slow run rate, costing India a victory; Manoj is dropped, humiliated, and vows revenge, shaping a difficult chapter for Azhar’s on-field relationships.
As the years pass, Azhar falls under the gaze of match‑fixing circles. A London-based bookie, M.K. Sharma [Rajesh Sharma](/actor/rajesh-sharma) disguised as a diamond merchant, approaches him with an offer: 10 million rupees to underplay in a match against Sri Lanka. Azhar accepts, setting off a chain of consequences that will reverberate through his career and life. In the aftermath, Meera, a prosecutor, builds a case using sting operations conducted by Manoj on Ravi, Navjot, and other cricketers, and she also consults the inquiry report commissioned by the Cricket Board. She tries to enlist Naureen as a witness, but Naureen declines. Azhar and his lawyer Reddy struggle to assemble proof of his innocence, as witnesses hesitate to speak under oath, and the tapes’ credibility is questioned.
The legal battle stretches on for eight years. Reddy challenges the bias of the inquiry report, arguing it was financed by the Cricket Board, and he casts doubt on the veracity of the sting tapes since none of the witnesses were sworn. The defense reveals that Azhar accepted the money but then returned the sums after delivering a match-winning innings, creating a nuanced portrait of motive and redemption. On the final day of judgment, Naureen and Sangeeta attend the proceedings to show their support, and Kapil publicly expresses belief in Azhar’s innocence. The court ultimately lifts the ban on Azhar, reinstating his reputation and career, leaving him to ponder what might have happened if he had been dismissed in that crucial Sri Lanka moment.
