While we are familiar with and admire the relationships between cricketers and actors such as Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, and K L Rahul and Athiya Shetty, the bond between a cricketer and an anchor is equally special. This is particularly noteworthy as both professions are heavily influenced by the outcome of the matches that one half of the couple competes in.
It is often said that marriages are made in heaven, but for certain cricketers, love found its way onto the very field where they achieved great success. One such example is Jasprit Bumrah, who recently led India to a resounding victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 and was rightfully awarded the title of ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan
Unlike any other love story, Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan’s story was not about love at first sight. It was in 2013-14, during the IPL session that Sanjana interviewed Bumrah. The interaction was short but made the two of them come close. They started as friends and ended up being husband and wife.
The video of Jasprit Bumrah being interviewed by Sanjana Ganesan after the India vs Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup 2024, and then following the India vs South Africa finals, has captured the attention of both cricket enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. Many have praised the couple for their ability to maintain a harmonious balance between their personal and professional lives, labeling them as the epitome of relationship goals.
In 2019, during ICC Cricket World Cup, the two were seen interacting again and this time, their work become personal and they became friends. Their friendship soon turned into love and they were seen attending events together. They never shied away from talking about their love story and were out in open.
On March 15, 2021, Jasprit Bumrah got married to Sanjana Ganesh as per Sikh traditions. It was an intimate affair which took place in Goa.
The ace bowler of the Indian cricket team and charming presenter Sanjana Ganesan are now touted as one of the ‘it’ couples of the sports fraternity. Walking hand-in-hand, supporting each other, and finding time during matches to share a broad smile, these two are adorable, to say the least.
On May 6, Sanjana celebrates her birthday and this year, Jasprit wished her by writing, “Happy birthday to my person, the one who completes me and with her by my side the world is a wonderful place. Angad and I wish you have the best birthday, with lots of love and cuddles from us.”
In 2023, Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan welcomed their first child and named him Angad.
Shane Watson and Lee Furlong
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson first crossed paths with Lee Furlong in 2006, when she was gaining recognition as a prominent Fox Sports anchor. Their shared love for sports, along with mutual acquaintances within the industry, sparked a romantic connection. After a courtship of several years, the couple exchanged vows on 29 May 2010. They are now proud parents to two children, William and Matilda Victoria Watson.
Stuart Binny and Mayanti Langer
The renowned Indian all-rounder and son of the 1983 World Cup-winning team member, Roger Binny, crossed paths with Mayanti Langer, a dynamic presenter for Star Sports. Langer, who has covered numerous Cricket World Cups as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Commonwealth Games, first met Binny in 2008 during the Indian Cricket League, where Binny was playing for Hyderabad Heroes. Their relationship blossomed over the years, culminating in their marriage in 2012. In 2020, the couple welcomed a baby boy into their lives.
Ben Cutting and Erin Holland
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald in 2021, former Big Bash League cricket presenter Erin Holland shared the story of how she crossed paths with Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting.
“I met my husband, cricketer Ben Cutting, on Instagram at the end of 2014; we initially made contact via a direct message. It was very casual and friendly banter… We officially started dating in 2015 and married last February”.
The couple got engaged in September 2019 and, despite delays caused by the pandemic, finally exchanged vows in a stunning ceremony in New South Wales.
Martin Guptill and Laura McGoldrick
Following a remarkable one-day international match against Bangladesh in Napier in 2019, New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill showcased his exceptional skills by scoring an unbeaten century, earning him the title of 'Player of the Match'. The post-match interview was conducted by his wife, sports presenter and journalist Laura McGoldrick. The couple's relationship began when Laura interviewed Guptill on 'The Cricket Show', eventually leading to their marriage in September 2014 in Auckland. Together, Guptill and McGoldrick are proud parents to two children, Harley and Theodore.
Beyond The Pitch: A Love Story Like No Other
These love stories go beyond just the glitz and glamor of the cricket world. They showcase the power of shared passions and how love can blossom even in the most unlikely of places. Whether it’s a chance encounter at a press conference, a shared love for the sport, or simply a spark that ignites across the field, these couples have proven that love knows no boundaries and can unite individuals from different walks of life.
