How Bollywood and Cricket made Lovers

Films and cricket are not just followed in India, they are treated like a religion!

With the IPL every year, and the Cricket World Cup every four years, the connection between the two is now inseparable.

So what is this keen attraction between the two? And which Bollywood Cricketing couples stood the test of time, and which love stories came to an untimely end? Let’s find out.

Shruti Haasan and Suresh Raina

The hot South Indian actress Shruti Haasan, daughter of Kamal Haasan is dating Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, and the couple is said to be serious in love.

The pair hit it off after being introduced at a party, and Raina considers her as his lucky charm!

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli 

While it is believed that this sizzling couple first met during a TV commercial shoot, they actually met at a party and were introduced to each other by Anushka’s ex, Ranveer Singh. How ironic!

Suspicions were cleared when Virat started visiting Anushka’s residence straight from his cricket tours abroad, and when the pair was spotted walking hand in hand in New Zealand.

It’s a wonder they deny their relationship when the whole world sees how inseparable they are.

Deepika Padukone and Yuvraj Singh

Yuvi is the famous Casanova of the Indian cricket team and his interest especially seems to be for the Bollywood lasses. Though Deepika and Yuvraj maintain their ‘just friends’ status, we all know they were dating for a short while.

Yuvi’s mum who is infamous for rejecting Yuvi’s girlfriends, was known to be helping Dips find an apartment in Mumbai.

Alas! The long legged beauty got tired of Yuvi’s over possessiveness and broke up with him only to date Ranbir Kapoor.

Kim Sharma and Yuvraj Singh

This affair lasted for four long years before the couple called it quits. The actress of Mohabbatein (2000) was so deep in love that she hardly noticed her failing career.

The reason for the couple’s split was Yuvi’s mother Shabnam who was uncomfortable with Kim’s bold image and refused to accept her as a bahu.

While everyone hoped that Yuvi would convince his mom, being a momma’s boy he broke up with Kim instead. A shattered Kim later married a Kenyan entrepreneur and shifted to Nairobi.

Isha Sharvani and Zaheer Khan

Just when everybody thought this lovely pair would get married and settle down, along came news of their break up.

The Jhalak Dikhlaja star romanced the Indian bowler for eight years before going separate ways. The reason being they did not get sufficient time to spend with each other. Looks like eight years was not enough time!

Sangeeta Bijlani and Azharuddin

Azharuddin, the then captain of the Indian cricket team was the media’s favourite controversy. He not only damaged his image by getting involved in match-fixing but also had an extramarital affair with the ex-Miss India, Sangeeta Bijlani.

Sangeeta was even criticised for being a ‘home-wrecker’. Azhar divorced his former wife and married Sangeeta in 1996; however, their marriage did not last long.

Nagma and Sourav Ganguly

This one was a spicy scandalous affair straight out of a Yash Raj Films love triangle.

Sourav Ganguly, who was happily married to his childhood love, Dona, shocked the world when allegations were out that he was romantically involved with the South Indian actress, Nagma.

The breaking news was the topic of discussion globally. In 2010, when Nagma spoke publicly about their affair, the media’s pressure affected Sourav’s career and he ended it with Nagma.

Amrita Singh and Ravi Shastri

Sparks flew during the late 80s, when the famous cricketer Ravi Shastri met the lovely Amrita.

The couple shouted their love from the rooftops. However, their romance was short lived. In 1990, Ravi married Ritu Singh, while Amrita married Saif Ali Khan.

Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta

There are Bollywood actresses who have had an affair with Indian or Pakistani cricketers; but Neena Gupta is the only one to date a cricketer from the West-Indies, Sir Vivian Richards.

It is said that Viv was already married when he met Neena and though they didn’t tie the knot, they do have a love child, Masaba.

Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

This relationship was almost a real life fairytale. When the Prince of Pataudi, the famous cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan met the beautiful actress Sharmila Tagore, love blossomed.

In 1969, despite facing opposition by the families, the love struck pair not only decided to get married but also lived happily ever after until death parted them.

Reena Roy and Mohsin Khan

Unlike Sharmila and Tiger Pataudi, Reena Roy’s love saga with Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan didn’t have a happily ever after ending.

Reena sacrificed her blooming career to marry Mohsin in 1983. Mohsin, who was always known as a show off, decided to give acting a shot but it was a disaster and that failure coupled with his family not accommodating Reena, resulted in a divorce.

As far as the affairs between Bollywood stars and cricketers go, not many have seemed to work out in the past. But we are crossing our fingers for the new generation! Hope more wickets fall in the future!