Sunday, 22 December 2024
Sunday, 22 December 2024
The recent announcement of Hardik Pandya's divorce and subsequent rumours with the name of a certain Ananya Panday being thrown in the mix have once again brought cricketers' private lives into the spotlight.
Over the years, numerous high-profile relationships between cricketers and celebrities have captured the nation's attention, sometimes even more than on-field performances. Here’s a quick recap of a dozen cricket romances that hit the headlines:
1. Viv Richards and Neena Gupta: Convention shatterers
The late 1980s saw an unexpected romance blossom between West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards and Bollywood actor Neena Gupta. Their relationship began during a West Indies team tour of India, when King Viv was married – though separated – with two children. Fun fact. During the time when they were seeing each other, Viv Richards was denied entry into Calcutta Club because he was clad in jeans. Neena Gupta, trailblazer as she always has been, went on to have her child out of wedlock. Their daughter, Masaba Gupta, is a fashion designer.
2. Imran Khan and Zeenat Aman: Rumour-mill fodder
When Pakistan toured India in 1979, captain Imran Khan and Bollywood star Zeenat Aman set gossip mills churning. Speculation peaked on Imran's 27th birthday. A salacious newspaper article claimed the pair met at a party and it was "love at first grope”. Neither Imran nor Zeenat ever acknowledged the alleged relationship.
3. Kapil Dev and Sarika: Haryana hurricane’s stormy stint
Before leading India to World Cup glory, Kapil Dev’s relationship with actress Sarika had the gossip columnists busy. They were reportedly introduced to each other by a mutual friend when both were single. Kapil went on to marry his then girlfriend, Romi Bhatia. Sarika later married actor Kamal Haasan.
4. Ravi Shastri and Amrita Singh: When careers collide
Cricketer Ravi Shastri and actor Amrita Singh's relationship was the talk of the town in the 1980s. They reportedly met during a magazine photoshoot in 1986, with Shastri apparently proposing to her in a New York restaurant. Reportedly they parted ways because they were unable to reconcile their career aspirations. Amrita later married Saif Ali Khan, while Shastri married Ritu Singh. Both marriages eventually ended in separation.
5. Mohammad Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani: Wristy strokeplayer’s stormy romance
Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin's romance with actress Sangeeta Bijlani began during an ad shoot in 1985 when he was married with two children, Azharuddin divorced his first wife to marry Sangeeta in 1996. Their high-profile marriage lasted 14 years before hitting turbulent waters amid rumours involving badminton player Jwala Gutta. Azhar and Sangeeta separated in 2010.
6. Ajay Jadeja and Madhuri Dixit: When cricket met dhak dhak
In the 1990s, cricketer Ajay Jadeja and Bollywood superstar Madhuri Dixit set tongues wagging. They had apparently met during a commercial shoot. Madhuri reportedly requested Jadeja be cast in her films. In a 2014 interview, Madhuri called Jadeja the "most special" person in her life. Both eventually married other partners.
7. Sourav Ganguly and Nagma: The unspoken chapter
In the early 2000s, rumours swirled about cricketer Sourav Ganguly and actor Nagma, when Ganguly was already married with a child. While both remained silent during the speculation, Nagma addressed it cryptically in a 2009 interview, speaking of a significant past relationship without naming Ganguly. She mentioned how fame complicates relationships, saying, "The world does not like to see two famous people come together." Years later, Nagma's birthday wish to Ganguly on social media reignited discussions.
8. MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, and Deepika Padukone: A cricket-Bollywood triangle
The late 2000s saw a fascinating triangle emerge – at least in the rumour mills – involving cricketers MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Bollywood star Deepika Padukone. Dhoni reportedly requested a special screening of a Deepika film and she was spotted cheering for him at matches. Soon, Yuvraj Singh entered the picture, briefly dating Deepika. This relationship also ended, with Yuvraj later commenting on Deepika moving on. The actress subsequently began dating actor Ranbir Kapoor.
9. Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani: An 8-year innings that ended in a surprise declaration
Fast bowler Zaheer Khan and actress-dancer Isha Sharvani's eight-year relationship began in 2005 after meeting at a function. As their careers flourished, their bond grew stronger, with Isha often seen supporting Zaheer at matches. The couple moved in together and announced their relationship publicly, with wedding rumours circulating during the 2011 Cricket World Cup. However, they parted ways. Isha later confirmed the split but maintained they remained friends. Zaheer eventually married actress Sagarika Ghatge in 2017.
10. Virat Kohli and Izabelle Leite: The secret romance
Before his marriage to Anushka Sharma, cricket star Virat Kohli and Brazilian model-turned-actor Izabelle Leite gave gossip columnists lots of fodder. They met during an ad shoot in Singapore. Some pictures of them surfaced, setting off tongues. In a 2014 interview, long after the rumours had died down, Izebelle said: "Virat was one of the first Indian friends I had when I came to India." She added that they remained on good terms.
11. Shubman Gill: From Sara Tendulkar to Spanish mystery girl
Young cricket sensation Shubman Gill has been making waves both on and off the field. Initially linked with Sara Tendulkar, daughter of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Gill's love life has been a topic of intense speculation. Recent reports suggest a breakup with Sara, followed by rumours of a new romance with a Spanish woman named Maria Arroyog. Fans' detective work on social media has fueled these speculations, with sightings at stadiums and Instagram follows being scrutinised. Gill's declaration of being single to pop star Ed Sheeran has only added to the intrigue.
12. Rohit Sharma and Sofia Hayat: A controversial claim
Indian opener Rohit Sharma found himself in an unexpected controversy when British actress and former Bigg Boss contestant Sofia Hayat claimed they had dated. In 2012, Sofia tweeted about their past relationship, saying, "Yes, I dated Rohit Sharma.. now it's over.. I wouldn't date him again." She even made a cheeky comparison to Virat Kohli, adding fuel to the fire. Rohit never addressed these claims publicly.
