A throwback photograph of Indian cricketing icons Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, and Zaheer Khan that is evocative in its tone has been trendingon social media recently. Taken in 2012, the image captures the three friends having a carefree, light-hearted moment far, far away from the stress of the pitch. Yuvraj Singh is in the limelight with hirsute cap and mischievous smile, sporting a simple white tee topped with a "Dev Anand-type" cap.

Standing next to him is young Virat Kohli, sporting a whole lot less stubbly-faced, so different from his now-legendary thick beard. Zaheer Khan makes up the trio, going for plainness with panache as well sporting another black and white checkered shirt. The picture, filled with camaraderie and revelry, was soon uploaded by fans—not merely due to the celebrity presence in sight but also a common unexpected bond that unites these cricketers outside of the pitch.

Beyond the Boundary: Bollywood

What is so incredible about this image is not so much the relationship between the players—it's the intriguing fact that all three married top actresses from the world of Indian cinema. The relationship between cricket and Bollywood has also permanently remained the topic of fans' interest, and this nostalgia acts as a photographic introduction to three genuine love affairs whose hearts billions warmed.

Yuvraj Singh was the first of the three to tie the knot. His relationship with actress Hazel Keech intensified with time, and in December 2016, the two had a grand wedding. Hazel, having won over the hearts of people by her act in Salman Khan's movie Bodyguard, soon became a familiar name in the households of cricket enthusiasts as well. Their journey has been one of love and affection, full to the core again with the birth of their son, Orion, in January 2022. Their joy was twofold again when they welcomed a baby girl, Aura, in August 2023 to complete their unconventional family.

Virat Kohli's and Anushka Sharma's romance started, on the set of a TV advertisement. Their chemistry on screen soon spilled over into a real-life romance that made national headlines. The couple kept their romance pretty much under wraps, much to the surprise of fans, with a fairytale wedding in Tuscany, Italy, in December 2017. The marriage united two huge fan bases—cinema enthusiasts and cricket fans as well. They had their daughter, Vamika, in January 2021, and, in February 2024, their son, Akaay. The four continue to bask in the spotlight even as they manage to successfully juggle fame with family life.

Zaheer Khan, the third of this distinguished trio, was smitten with actress Sagarika Ghatge, who rose to fame for playing a rough-around-the-edges role of a hockey player in Chak De! India. The pair's affair was confirmed when the two were often seen attending social gatherings and cricket matches together. The two wed in November 2017 in a discreet but classy wedding. Sagarika has been at ease with her off-screen persona ever since, backing Zaheer's business ventures while every now and then posting photos of her life with him on social media. The newlywed couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Fatehsinh Khan, on April 16, 2025. The news was accompanied by a sweet picture of the new parents embracing their son close, which melted hearts online immediately.

Cricket and Cinema: A Timeless Indian Romance

The resurrection of the photo also evokes cozy memories for cricket enthusiasts but, above all, serves to reaffirm the special bond that both cricket and Bollywood have in Indian popular culture. This unguarded 2012 moment is a flashback to the past, before these cricketing giants set off on their individual paths into the world of cinema and family.

As the picture keeps on going viral, it's being hailed not only as a mass memory, but as a symbol of the manner in which the trajectories of India's mass heroes—on the pitch and on screen—often intersect. Whether in sheer entertainment or mass admiration, the bonding between cricket and Bollywood remains strong.