Several cricketers have married their fans, bridging the gap between fame and admiration. MS Dhoni, Shahid Afridi, Murali Vijay, Hardik Pandya, and Sachin Tendulkar are notable examples, each forming lasting bonds with admirers who later became their spouses.
MS Dhoni (India)
MS Dhoni married Sakshi Singh Rawat in 2010, and their story is quite unique. Sakshi was reportedly a fan of Dhoni, and they actually knew each other from their childhood days in Ranchi. However, they lost touch for several years. The two reconnected later in life through mutual friends, which led to their marriage.
Their relationship remained largely private, with their engagement being a surprise to many. Sakshi was a childhood friend of Dhoni, and after reconnecting, their bond quickly grew stronger. They tied the knot in a private ceremony in July 2010, with very few people from the cricketing world invited, keeping the event intimate.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistani cricket star, married his cousin Nadia Afridi in 2000. Nadia had admired him since childhood, as she was a devoted fan of his cricketing career. Their marriage was arranged with family support, and they have since built a close family life together.
Murali Vijay (India)
Murali Vijay, the Indian cricketer, married Nikita Vanjara, who was previously married to fellow cricketer Dinesh Karthik. Nikita was reportedly a fan of Vijay before they developed a relationship, and the two later tied the knot, marking the beginning of a new chapter in both of their lives.
Hardik Pandya (India)
Hardik Pandya married Natasa Stankovic, a Serbian actress, dancer, and model, after they connected through social media. The couple got engaged in January 2020 while vacationing in Dubai and later tied the knot during the pandemic in a private ceremony. Natasa had been a fan of Hardik before their relationship blossomed. The couple also has a son, Agastya, born in 2020. Their love story gained significant media attention, as both are high-profile personalities, blending cricket and entertainment.
Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali Mehta, a doctor, in 1995. Their love story began in the early ’90s when Anjali, who was a fan of his cricketing talent, first saw him at the Mumbai airport. At the time, Anjali was a medical student, and she was captivated by Sachin’s passion for cricket. They met again through a mutual friend, and their relationship blossomed from there. Despite the immense fame and attention Sachin had, Anjali remained grounded and supported him throughout his illustrious career. Their bond has been one of mutual respect and love, with Anjali often keeping a low profile while being Sachin’s biggest supporter.