PHOTOS: Cricketers and actresses - About famous rumoured affairs, link-ups and marriages

On this day, former cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who married Sharmila Tagore, was born.  On his 81st birth anniversary, we take a look at the most famous marriages, rumoured link-ups and alleged affairs between cricket stars and Bollywood actresses over the years

Updated On: 2022-01-05 01:19 PM IST

Hardik-Natasa. Pic Courtesy/ Official Instagram; Azharuddin-Sangeeta Bijlani

Tiger Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore: It all started in 1965 when Sharmila Tagore was in Delhi for a shoot and MAK 'Tiger' Pataudi was introduced to her through few common friends. After four years of constant persuasion, Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore got married, amidst stiff family opposition. They have two children - Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. MAK Pataudi passed away in September 2011

Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic: Rumours of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic dating surfaced in 2019. Hardik then went on to post a photo on New Year's Eve, teasing their relationship. On New Year's Day, Pandya surprised his fans and colleagues when he announced that he and Natasa Stankovic got engaged in Dubai.

Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge: Ex-Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan and Bollywood's 'Chak De' actress Sagarika Ghatge were first spotted together at Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech's wedding where rumours of them dating surfaced. The couple later went on to confirm their engagement in April 2017 and were married in November 2017

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma: Virat has been as much in the news for his spectacular batting as for his colourful life off the field. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma apparently became rather close after they shot for a shampoo ad together. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were spotted at many occasions and events together. After much speculation, the couple finally got married in a hush-hush ceremony involving family and friends in Tuscany, Italy in December 2017. The couple welcomed their daughter Vamika in January 2021.

Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani: The cricketer-actress duo had an eight-year on and off romance. In the end, distance apparently played a major role in their relationship ending. Zaheer Khan later married Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge in November 2017.

Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech: India's former star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh may have had quite a few relationships with some Bollywood actresses (so they say), but it was one in particular that Yuvi decided to settle down with. She was none other than the 'Bodyguard' actress Hazel Keech. Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech were engaged in November 2015. The couple got married a year later in November 2016

Yuvraj Singh and Kim Sharma: One of the most talked-about couples at a point of time, Yuvraj and Kim Sharma split due to differences and went on to have other affairs. Kim later married to a Kenyan businessman Ali Punjani but they separated in 2016. Yuvraj Singh married Bollywood celebrity, Hazel Keech, in November 2016. They remain good friends to date.

Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra: The Indian spinner and the actress had been dating for a few years, though they never admitted to the relationship in public. Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra later confirmed their relationship and got married in October 2015. The couple have a daughter together named Hinaya Heer Plaha.

Mohammad Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani: Azhar was happily married with two kids when he met the former Miss India and fell head over heels for her. It was only a matter of time before Azhar divorced his first wife and tied the knot with Bijlani. However, Azhar and Sangeeta filed for divorce in 2010 but remain close friends.

Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley: Warne has had numerous flings over the years, and his affair with the English model-actress was an on-off thing. They split, only to come back together again and were engaged. Later in 2013, the couple called it off but remain friends.

Sreesanth and Shriya Saran: Much before the Kerala speedster got involved in IPL spot-fixing, Sreesanth was alleged to have been dating South actress Shriya Saran. But the actress rubbished all those rumours. Sreesanth married his girlfriend Bhuvneshwari Kumari in December 2013. The couple has two daughters. Shriya Saran married her boyfriend Andrei Koscheev in 2018

Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta: Sir Richards was already married when he was in a relationship with Neena Gupta. They had a brief, unconventional relationship, and a daughter, Masaba Gupta, who is now a well-known fashion designer and lives with her mother

Ravi Shastri and Amrita Singh: There was gossip about the cricketer-turned-commentator-turned coach Shastri dating actress Amrita Singh for a while before their alleged relationship came to an abrupt end. Needless to say, they were all rumours linking the two stars. Amrita later went on to marry Saif Ali Khan but the couple divorced. Shastri went on to marry Ritu Singh in 1990

Mohsin Khan and Reena Roy: The Bollywood actress married the former Pakistani cricketer in 1983, when her career was at its peak, and quit movies. The wedding, however, did not last long even though they had a daughter and Reena Roy returned to films

Kapil Dev and Sarika: There were many rumours about India's World Cup-winning captain Kapil and actress Sarika being in a relationship but nothing went on to be confirmed. However, Kapil Dev eventually married Romi in 1980 and the couple has a daughter Amiya. Sarika married Kamal Haasan but they were divorced later on.

Gary Sobers and Anju Mahendroo: Anju was just 17 years old when she met former West Indies cricketer Gary Sobers in 1966. According to rumours, she broke off her engagement to Rajesh Khanna so she could accept Gary's proposal. But, with Gary playing county cricket in England and Anju in India, the long-distance relationship did not last

Imran Khan and Zeenat Aman: The former Pakistan cricketer-turned-politician and the yesteryear Bollywood siren created ripples in the media when reports of them dating each other surfaced. However, this was very short-lived and Imran later married British socialite Jemima Khan. The former cricketer divorced Jemima in 2004. Imran was then married to Reham Khan in 2014 for a year before they were divorced in 2015. Imran then married Bushra in 2018

Usman Afzal and Amrita Arora: The English cricketer and Arora made no secret of their relationship when they were together. Afzal even tattooed Amrita's name on his arm. They later split and Amrita went on to marry a businessman Shakeel Ladak in 2009. They have two sons - Rayaan and Azaan

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