This star India cricketer was linked to Simi Garewal, married Rajesh Khanna’s heroine, won the heart of top Bollywood actress by….

Cricketers dating Bollywood actresses is nothing new. Over the years, we have had plenty of high-profile affairs between top cricketers and top Bollywood actresses. From Mohammad Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani to Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in the modern-day, the examples are aplenty.

One top Indian cricketer and former India captain led a very colourful life off the field in 1960 and 70s. We are talking about the legendary Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who turned out in 46 Test matches for India and led India in 40 of those matches.

Pataudi, of course, first dated and then went on to marry top Bollywood actress of his generation – Sharmila Tagore, who had a hit pairing with Rajesh Khanna in her heydays. Pataudi’s son Saif Ali Khan is current one of the top leading actors in Bollywood and his daughter Soha Ali Khan is also an accomplished actress.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi’s link with Simi Garewal

It is a rather lesser known fact that before he started dating Sharmila Tagore, Pataudi had his eyes on Simi Garewal. From cricket matches, to outdoor shoots to major events, Pataudi and Simi Garewal were often seen together.

Many believed that Simi Garewal with her classy outlook was a perfect fit for the royal Indian cricket Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. However, that was before Sharmila Tagore entered the scene and cupid struck Pataudi.

According to a report in TOI newspaper, Pataudi had even visited Simi Garewal’s apartment to tell her things between them were over since he had met Sharmila Tagore.

The report states that Simi insisted on him having a lemonade, but, even before taking a sip, he blurted, “I’m sorry but I want to make it clear it is over between us, I’ve met someone else.”

The report further states, Simi didn’t make a scene out of it and instead chose to accompany him to the elevator when he stood up to leave.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi had insisted on her ‘not’ coming but she did anyway. And what did she find there? Sharmila Tagore, waiting near the elevator, for Mansoor.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi went on to score 2,793 runs while representing India with 6 hundreds and 16 fifties and a best of 203 not out. Mansur, also known as ‘Tiger’ Pataudi was elected Indian Cricketer of the Year in 1962 and Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968.

Simi Garewal, meanwhile, was rumoured to be girlfriend famous Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, who passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday.