From Yuvraj Singh to Zaheer Khan: Look at Indian cricketers who married outside their religion
Here are some star players who broke the wall of religion and refused to follow the customs of the times.
When one talks about inter-caste marriages, it makes one think about love and its social disapproval and acceptance, especially in a country like India which has a variety of cultural beliefs.
Inter-caste marriages are not openly practiced in India, but couples who have gone against these cultural beliefs, have stood the test of time.
When it comes to Indian cricketers, they are sure the ones to set examples from the front. So here are some star players who broke the wall of religion and refused to follow the customs of the times.
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan had surprised all by announcing his engagement with Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge in the year 2017.
In the same year, the couple got married in court. It is worth mentioning that Zaheer is a Muslim and Sagarika is a Hindu.
Mohammad Kaif helped India win on many occasions, but he lost his heart to Noida-based journalist Pooja Yadav.
Kaif is a Muslim and Pooja is a Hindu and both got married in the year 2011.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh married Bollywood actress Hazel Keech in the year 2015.
While Yuvi is a Sikh, Hazel is a Christian. After marriage, Hazel changed her name to Gurbasant Kaur.
Former India bowler Ajit Agarkar also married a partner of another religion. While he is a Hindu, his wife Fatima is a Shia Muslim.
Fatima is a close friend of Agarkar's sister, and it was from there that she got acquainted with the cricketer. In the year 2007, both of them became each others forever.
Former Team India captain Mohammad Azharuddin's life has been full of ups and downs. He married Naureen in the year 1987, but both of them got divorced in 1996.
In the same year, Azhar married Bollywood actress Sangeeta Bijlani, but soon their relationship also hit the rocks and they also parted ways.
After Dinesh Karthik's first failed marriage, he met Indian squash player Deepika Pallikal. Both got married in the year 2015.
Dinesh Karthik is Hindu while Deepika is a Christian and both tied the knot according to both the customs.
Former Team India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi had fallen in love with Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore. The two had met each other through a common friend.
Once their love bloomed, the two were inseparable and on December 27, 1969, the two had gotten married in a royal affair.