Foreign cricketers who fell in love with Indian women: Cricket often brings people from different cultures together, both on and off the field. Over the years, several foreign cricketers form deep personal connections with Indian women, resulting in relationships that draw public attention due to cultural, social, and national differences. Here is a look at five such stories.
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Foreign cricketers who fell in love with Indian women
#5 Vivian Richards
One of the greatest cricketers of all time, Vivian Richards develops a relationship with Indian actress Neena Gupta. Their relationship attracts widespread media attention, especially at a time when such partnerships face social resistance.
Neena Gupta decides to raise their daughter, Masaba Gupta, on her own. Masaba later becomes a well-known fashion designer in India. Richards continues to maintain a relationship with his daughter and frequently visits India to fulfill his responsibilities as a father. Over time, the family shares a cordial bond, with Masaba openly expressing pride in her father.
#4 Shoaib Malik
The relationship between Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza becomes one of the most talked-about cross-border unions in sports.
The two first meet in Australia during a difficult phase in their respective careers. Despite political narratives and public scrutiny, they announce their marriage, prompting intense debate. Addressing criticism, Sania Mirza states:
“I was not marrying a Pakistani, I was marrying a person. People try to make political statements but forget that we are human beings.”
They get married on April 2, 2010, and continue representing their respective nations in professional sport.
#3 Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lanka’s highest wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan, marries Madhimalar Ramamurthy, a Tamil woman and the daughter of hospital owners Nithya and S. Ramamurthy.
The couple ties the knot in 2005 and later has a son in 2006. Madhimalar describes her first impression of Muralitharan by saying:
“What I really liked about him was he was always smiling. When somebody smiles at you like that, you feel so relaxed and comfortable. It was very important for me to feel comfortable.”
She highlights his simplicity and honesty as key factors that shape their relationship.
#2 Shaun Tait
Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait meets Indian model Mashoom Singha during the Indian Premier League in 2010. The two date for four years before getting married in June 2014.
Mashoom recalls their first meeting:
“I was doing a fashion show at the after-party. We kept bumping into each other. And one thing led to another.”
Tait proposes in Paris, and the couple hosts a week-long wedding celebration in Mumbai, attended by friends from Australia and Indian cricketers including Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan.
#1 Garry Sobers
West Indies legend Garry Sobers falls in love with Indian actress Anju Mahendru, who is then building her career in Bollywood. The two nearly get married, and Anju even calls off her engagement with actor Rajesh Khanna.
However, family opposition prevents the marriage. In his autobiography, Sobers writes fondly about her, saying:
“She was so beautiful and such a nice person”.
He also reveals that he plans to take her to England for marriage, though circumstances ultimately prevent it. Despite the separation, the two remain friends.
Several foreign cricketers form meaningful personal relationships with Indian women, creating stories that draw attention beyond the cricket field. From Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta to Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza, these relationships navigate cultural differences, public scrutiny, and social expectations. Others, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Shaun Tait, and Garry Sobers, also build strong personal connections in India. Together, these stories highlight how cricket often bridges cultures and brings people together in unexpected ways.
