Shikhar Dhawan & Aesha Mukerji
Once seen as a fairytale romance, Shikhar Dhawan and Melbourne-based kickboxer Aesha Mukerji's story took a sad turn. The couple, who had an age gap and came from different backgrounds, tied the knot in 2012. Their social media posts with their son, Zoravar,
often gave fans family goals. However, after nearly a decade of marriage, the couple separated. In October 2023, a Delhi court granted Dhawan a divorce on the grounds of mental cruelty. The court proceedings revealed a fraught relationship, with allegations that Mukerji compelled Dhawan to live separately from their son and made significant financial demands, including making her a 99% owner of properties he bought in Australia. The painful separation and the ensuing custody battle over their son made this one of the most heart-wrenching public splits in recent memory.
Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma
Before they became 'Virushka', the ultimate power couple, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma had a significant bump in the road. In early 2016, rumours of a breakup went wild after they reportedly unfollowed each other on Instagram. At the time, speculation was rife that the disagreement stemmed from marriage. Reports suggested Virat was ready to tie the knot, while Anushka wanted to focus on her burgeoning career, having major films in the pipeline. Kohli even posted a 'breakup' selfie which he quickly deleted, but not before fans captured it. The split, though brief, stunned their massive fanbases. However, their love proved resilient. They reconciled later that year, quietly working through their issues away from the public eye before getting married in 2017, proving that some love stories are worth the fight.
Yuvraj Singh & Kim Sharma
In the early 2000s, the link-up between flamboyant cricketer Yuvraj Singh and 'Mohabbatein' actress Kim Sharma was the talk of the town. Their relationship lasted for about four years, making them one of the most-watched celebrity couples of their time. They were frequently spotted together, and their romance seemed destined for the long haul. However, in 2007, the couple abruptly parted ways, shocking fans and the media. While neither ever spoke about it publicly, reports at the time suggested a number of reasons for the split, including alleged disapproval from Yuvraj's family and claims of Kim being possessive. Though their romance ended, they have since maintained a friendly relationship. Both eventually moved on, with Yuvraj marrying Hazel Keech and Kim having other relationships, but their story remains a classic chapter in the book of cricketer-actor romances.
Rishabh Pant & Urvashi Rautela
This wasn't just a breakup; it was a messy, public feud played out on social media. The saga between cricketer Rishabh Pant and actress Urvashi Rautela began after Urvashi, in an interview, mentioned a certain 'Mr. RP' who supposedly waited for her for hours in a hotel lobby. Pant fired back on his Instagram story, writing, "It's funny how people lie in interviews just for some meagre popularity... Mera picha chhoro behen (Leave me alone, sister)." This ignited a war of words, with Urvashi hitting back, calling him "Chotu bhaiya" (little brother). The drama escalated when Urvashi was seen at cricket matches in Australia where Pant was playing, leading to accusations of stalking. Urvashi later tried to clarify that 'RP' referred to her co-star, Ram Pothineni, but the public narrative had already been set. This affair remains one of the most bizarre and talked-about clashes between a cricketer and a celebrity.
MS Dhoni & Raai Laxmi
Long before he became 'Captain Cool' and a married man, MS Dhoni was linked with South Indian actress Raai Laxmi. Their rumoured relationship blossomed around 2008, during the early days of the IPL. They were often spotted at after-parties, and the media frequently reported on their apparent closeness. However, the relationship was short-lived, lasting less than a year. Years later, Raai Laxmi spoke about the lingering nature of the association, calling it a "scar or a stain" that follows her long after they both moved on. She stated that the breakup was mutual and that they still respect each other, but expressed frustration that the short-lived affair is still brought up. Dhoni married Sakshi Rawat in 2010, firmly closing that chapter of his life.
