From Deepika-Dhoni to Ravi-Nimrat: Scandalous actor-cricketer romances & rumours that broke the Internet

Bollywood and the sports industry have been linked for ages, especially through romantic connections and high-profile link-ups. While actor-cricketer relationships, rumored romances, and flings have always made sensational headlines, they continue to be a hot topic that never fails to break the internet.

With recent speculations surrounding Hardik Pandya and Jasmine Walia, Yuzvendra Chahal and RJ Mahvash, Malaika Arora and Kumar Sangakkara, and Mohammad Siraj and Mahira Sharma, let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most sizzling, headline-making actor-cricketer romances of all time.

Yuvraj Singh & Kim Sharma – The On-Off Rollercoaster

Before tying the knot with Hazel Keech, Yuvraj Singh had a long and public relationship with Bollywood actress Kim Sharma. Their romance, which started in the mid-2000s, was the talk of the town, with constant breakups and patch-ups. Eventually, they parted ways for good, allegedly due toYuvraj'ss mother not approving of Kim. The drama surrounding their breakup kept gossip columns busy for years.

MS Dhoni & Deepika Padukone – The Unfulfilled Love

During the late 2000s, MS Dhoni openly admitted to having a crush on Deepika Padukone. He even requested for her presence at a match, and she obliged! Rumors were rife that they were dating, but soon, Deepika was linked withDhoni'ss then-teammate Yuvraj Singh, creating a love triangle that intrigued fans. Deepika later dated Ranbir Kapoor, but the Dhoni-Deepika buzz remains one ofcricket-Bollywood'ss most famous 'almost romances'.

Rishabh Pant & Urvashi Rautela – The Cryptic Social Media War

Rishabh Pant and Urvashi Rautela's rumored relationship-turned-social-media-battle has been a modern-day scandal. Urvashi hinted at an affair by talking about "R" in interviews, claiming he waited for her in a hotel lobby. Rishabh indirectly responded with an Instagram story about people seeking attention, leading to a full-fledged internet drama. The actress continued to drop cryptic posts, even attending matches, making it one of the most bizarre and talked-about cricket-Bollywood sagas.

Zaheer Khan & Isha Sharvani – The Longest Almost Marriage

Zaheer Khan and actress-dancer Isha Sharvani were in an on-and-off relationship for almost a decade. Everyone expected them to marry, but after years of commitment issues, they broke up for good. Zaheer later found love in Sagarika Ghatge (of Chak De! India fame), and they are now happily married.

Ravi Shastri & Nimrat Kaur – The Unexpected Affair?

One of the most surprising rumored affairs in the cricketing world was between former cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri and Bollywood actress Nimrat Kaur. Though never confirmed, their alleged meetings and secret dates caused a media frenzy. However, both parties denied the rumors, making it a mystery that still lingers.

Sreesanth & Riya Sen – The Quick Flame

Indian fast bowler Sreesanth and Bollywood actress Riya Sen were rumored to be dating for a short period. They were spotted together frequently at events and parties, but the romance never lasted. Riya dismissed the relationship as mere "friendship" but gossip mills suggested otherwise.

Neena Gupta & Vivian Richards – The Affair That Broke Barriers

Veteran Bollywood actress Neena Gupta had a relationship with West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards in the 1980s. Though they never married, they share a daughter, fashion designer Masaba Gupta. Their unconventional romance was a bold statement at a time when such relationships were rare and controversial.

Mohammed Azharuddin & Sangeeta Bijlani – The Love That Broke a Marriage

Former Indian captain Azharuddin shocked the cricket and Bollywood fraternity when he divorced his first wife to marry actress Sangeeta Bijlani. Their relationship was highly publicized, with allegations of an extramarital affair before they made it official. The two were together for over a decade before parting ways in 2010.