Yuvraj Singh played an instrumental role in India’s win in the 2011 World Cup, but the cricketer has constantly been making news on a different pitch for his reported affairs. The swashbuckling southpaw is unaffected by the gossip. Of late, he has been linked to Bangalore-based model-actor Akshara Gowda and Bollywood’s Neha Dhupia.
“Why should anything that is so far from the truth bother me?” he retorts. “It’s all rubbish! These stories are baseless and have no veracity. They make me laugh.”
The 30-year-old all-rounder was also apparently dating actors Deepika Padukone and Preity Zinta in the past. Ask him if he too, like his Team India players Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Praveen Kumar, is planning to get hitched soon and he smiles, “I’m single and enjoying it. I have plenty of things to do. Cricket is my priority right now and marriage isn’t on the agenda.”
Guaranteeing that he will declare his love to the world if and when he is really in a relationship, Yuvraj adds, “I’m an open person. When I’m getting married, I will share my happiness with everyone.”
After all this off-field exposure, does Yuvi feel like the media’s favourite boy? "I think so. The media has given me so much love, even when I’m not playing," he laughs, and adds, "Journalists have a serious job to do. I’m the last person to mind fair criticism, but using fabricated stories and words to tarnish our images is something I don’t like. As a cricketer, if you don’t have a balanced head and take all this gossip seriously, it can really hurt you badly."
{{/usCountry}}After all this off-field exposure, does Yuvi feel like the media’s favourite boy? "I think so. The media has given me so much love, even when I’m not playing," he laughs, and adds, "Journalists have a serious job to do. I’m the last person to mind fair criticism, but using fabricated stories and words to tarnish our images is something I don’t like. As a cricketer, if you don’t have a balanced head and take all this gossip seriously, it can really hurt you badly."
{{/usCountry}}Keeping that in mind, the once-outspoken Yuvraj, has now learnt to be more wary. “I hesitate to say that I work hard and party harder. I don’t emphasise on that part of my life now, because the moment Yuvraj Singh goes out, the whole world takes note,” says the cricketer, who recently launched his signature line of Oakley sunglasses. He vehemently denies being interested in Bollywood, saying, “I have friends in the film industry and I have got some offers too, but that doesn’t mean I want to act. Right now it’s only cricket for me.”
(Inputs from Serena Menon)
Women in Yuvi’s life Kim SharmaThey were together for four years, but apparently his mother didn’t like Kim. Deepika PadukoneShe reportedly flew to Sydney to attend a match and hosted his birthday bash.
Aanchal KumarThey were spotted at an IPL after-party. Both denied any affair.
Preity ZintaTheir celebratory hugs after Kings XI Punjab won led to plenty of talk.
Akshara GowdaShe recently came into the picture, the cricketer strongly denies any connection.
Neha DhupiaThey attended a party together and were linked. She called the news “most ridiculous”.