Link-Ups Between Cricketers and Actresses

Bollywood and cricket go down a long way when it comes to link-ups between cricketers and Bollywood actresses. There have been numerous affairs between them but only a few have managed to awaken a great deal of media curiosity due to the glamour attached to both the professions.

Actresses like Sharmila Tagore and Sangeeta Bijlani are happily married to ex-cricketers Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Mohammad Azharuddin respectively and, hence, keep the cricket-Bollywood association alive. The list below brings forth stories of link-ups between cricketers and Bollywood actresses.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore

It all started in 1965 when Sharmila Tagore was in Delhi for a shoot and Tiger Pataudi got introduced to her through some common friends. Legend has it that Tiger gifted Sharmila a refrigerator to win her heart, but the trick did not work. Four years of sending roses and proposing, Sharmila agreed. However, their families still opposed the marriage. After much persuasation the parents agreed!

Imran Khan and Zeenat Aman

The dashing Pakistani cricketer and the yesteryear Bollywood siren created waves in the media when they started dating each other. Their affair was very short lived and Imran went on to marry British socialite Jemimah Khan.

Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta

Sir Richards and Neena Gupta shared an unconventional relationship with each other as he was married at that time. They had a brief relationship, with the couple having a daughter, Masaba, who now lives with her mother.

Yuvraj Singh and Kim Sharma

Yuvraj Singh and Kim Sharma were one of the most talked about couple of recent times and the two were together for quite a long time. Sadly the couple split due to differences and both went on to have other affairs. Kim Sharma is ,today, married to Ali Punjani, a wealthy businessman from Kenya.

M.s. Dhoni and Deepika Padukone

The super successful cricket captain reportedly had a huge crush on the dimpled actress post her Bollywood debut. The media got enough fodder for gossip after Dhoni invited Deepika for a T20 match against Australia. Deepika's presence at the match got the rumor mills buzzing about the couple's relationship status.

Yuvraj Singh and Deepika Padukone

After M.S. Dhoni, Deepika was linked to his felllow team-mate, Yuvraj Singh and the couple was spotted together at many events. However Deepika found love in Ranbir Kapoor and Yuvraj was dumped by the actress. Deepika's relationship with Ranbir too failed and today, she is happy in the company of Siddharth Mallya

Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra

THe hot-headed cricketer and the actress have been dating for quite a while though they have never admitted the relationship in public. The couple are apparently very much together and this relationship might be a success story in this list.

Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani

The pretty actress and the dashing bowler were in a relationship for more than two years. However, the couple split so as to concentrate in their respective careers. Despite attempts to rekindle their romance, the pair could not keep their love alive.

Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley

The Austrailian cricketer and British actress created a storm in the media with their very public affair. While Warne was recently divorced from his wife owing to his numerous affairs, Hurley cheated on her husband, Arun Nayar, to be with Warne. The couple are still going strong with public display of love everywhere.