Let’s take a look at the famous love affairs of cricketers that are less known.
Shoaib Akhtar and Sonali Bendre
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The “Rawalpindi Express” of Pakistani cricket team Shoaib Akhtar was left clean bowled by Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre. The two met during the Indo-Pak series of 2004, from where the rumours of them being in an alleged relationship spread. However, the relationship did not materialise much beyond the tabloid reports.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Asin
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MS Dhoni and ‘Ghajini’ actress Asin were believed to be an item after starring together in an advertisement of a big fashion brand. The two used to enjoy their company as was evident from the fact that they were spotted together many a time. In 2010, Dhoni was seen coming out from Asin’s home in Lokhandwala, Mumbai. However, the relationship didn’t last long and the couple separated soon after.
Shane Warne and Liz Hurley
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In December 2013, former Australian cricketer Shane Warne and actress Elizabeth Hurley announced the end of their relationship in a tweet – “The past should be the past & stay there. It destroys the future. Live life for what tomorrow has to offer, not for what happened yesterday.”
Virat Kohli and Tamannaah Bhatia
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Virat Kohli and Tamannaah Bhatia were rumoured to be in a relationship between 2012 and 2013. The duo became close after shooting an advertisement together. The pair never went public about their affair and Virat happily moved on in his life after splitting with the Baahubali actress.
Sourav Ganguly and Nagma
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Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who is lovingly known as “dada”, was already married to his childhood sweetheart Dona, when the reports of his link-up with actress Nagma emerged. The relationship filled gossip columns when the two were spotted together in a temple in 2001, performing some rituals. This further sparked rumours of them tying the knot. However, this relationship did not last long, and Sourav stayed with his wife. Having said that, saying that all was just merely a speculation here, is not entirely correct as well. In a tell-it-all interview with the Savvy magazine, Nagma said, “Whatever one says, nobody has denied anything. As long as there is no denial of each other’s existence in each other’s life, any person can say anything they want.” She had further added, “There was a career at stake, besides other things, so one had to part. One had to weigh a lot of things, rather than be on an ego trip and insist on being together.”
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Raai Laxmi
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We hear Mahi was also briefly smitten by south Indian actress Raai Laxmi. The two met in 2008 when Dhoni along with Suresh Raina came to attend her birthday party. Raai liked Dhoni so much that she even said in an interview that she would marry Dhoni if he proposes to her.
Though the two went their separate ways a long time back there is no love lost between the two. “I knew him really well and don’t know if I can call it a relationship because it never worked out. We still have respect for each other. He has moved on and gotten married. That’s the end of the story. I am a very happy person right now and work is my priority.”
She even called her relationship with Dhoni a ‘scar’. Talking to a daily, she said, “I’ve begun to believe that my relationship with Dhoni is like a stain or a scar which won’t go away for a long time. I am surprised that people still have the energy and patience left to talk about it even now. Every time TV channels dig into Dhoni’s past, they make it a point to bring up our relationship. I dread to think that someday my kids in future will see it on TV and ask me about it!”
Rohit Sharma and Sofia Hayat
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They were spotted getting close (and cosy) at a few parties together, and that kicked off the rumours. However, no one even knew that they actually dated each other till the time they called it quits, and a hurt Sofia used her Twitter to come out in the open. In 2012, Sofia posted, “Ok, let’s put the rumours to end. Yes, I dated Rohit Sharma. Now it’s over. I wouldn’t date him again. This time I’m looking for a gentleman.” Sofia made this tweet after Rohit refused to acknowledge her even as a friend in front of the media.
Wasim Akram and Sushmita Sen
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Known to be one of the most graceful beauties of Bollywood, this single mom has had her fair share of alleged link-ups as well, including many marriage rumours. One such link-up was with former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram. Sushmita and Wasim, reportedly got close in 2008 while working together as judges on reality TV show ‘Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena’ in India. Their close-proximity and on-screen chemistry made many headlines, including that of the two tying the knot. However, the rumours died down in 2013, when both Sushmita and Wasim dismissed them once and for all!
Yuvraj Singh and Deepika Padukone
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Before Deepika started seeing the Casanova of Bollywood, Ranbir Kapoor, she fell for another media-favourite “Casanova” from the field! Deepika and Yuvraj always maintained their ‘just good friends’ stance, but when Bollywood diva hosted Yuvraj’s birthday bash at her residence, it got the rumour mills buzzing. It is, however, suggested that Deepika called-off the relationship because of Yuvraj’s possessive nature. Yuvraj Singh too moved on and went on to marry actress Hazel Keech in 2016.
Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani
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Dismissing this relationship as just another rumour is not entirely correct. If reports are to be believed, their relationship was quite a serious one. Things even went to the level of fuelling speculations related to an impending wedding. But in 2012, the news of their definite break-up came out and Isha herself was quoted in a daily confessing, “Yes, we were together for many years. But it is all over between Zaheer and me now.” It has been reported that they ended the things to concentrate on their respective careers.
Kapil Dev and Sarika
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Indian cricket team’s most sought-after captain Kapil Dev was rumoured to be in a relationship with actress Sarika. There have also been reports that the cricketer’s family was happy with this match, and a wedding was being planned as well. However, this relationship, or the rumours of it, did not last for long. While Kapil Dev went on to marry his long-time on-and-off girlfriend Romi Bhatia, Sarika went on to have one of the most highly-publicised relationships with superstar Kamal Hassan.
Also Read: After huge loss of KKR, Shah Rukh Khan apologises for the ‘lack of spirit’
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