From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli: 5 Indian cricketers who credit their wives or girlfriends for success

In India, cricket isn't just a sport—it's a story of grit, determination, and sacrifices. And behind the sixes, centuries, and trophies won by the Indian cricketers, stand remarkable women who've stood by them through thick and thins.. From quitting stable jobs to sharing emotional victories, their support turns pressure into power. Here we list some Indian cricketers who openly credit their wives or girlfriends for their on-field success:
Photo: Sachin Tendulkar & VIrat Kohli/ Instagram

Virat Kohli, India's chasing king, wears his heart on his sleeve—and often on his Instagram—thanking wife Anushka Sharma for being his rock. Through RCB's heartbreaks and glories, she's shared every nail-biter. After RCB's won their first-ever IPL title in 2025, an emotional Kohli broke down on-field, and hugged Anushka. "I've seen it for 18 years and she's seen it for 11. Suffered the same moments since 2014," he posted later. And, post T20 World Cup 2024, he wrote: "None of this would remotely be possible without you my love. You keep me humble, grounded and you always say it how it is with absolute honesty." Her unwavering backing through 11 tough years fueled his fire. Photo: Virat Kohli/ Instagram

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy owes his IPL and T20 stardom to college sweetheart Neha Khedekar, who bet everything on his dream. SRM University buddies turned lovers, they faced a crossroads post-graduation: Varun's architect job or giving up a stable job to chase his cricket dream? "I told my wife not to trust me and come with me since I didn’t even have a job. But she believed in me. She gave me confidence and said, ‘Play cricket, earn 5-6K. I’m earning... We’ll manage.' She believed in me when I had nothing!," Varun shared emotionally. Her sacrifice—from believing in his cricket dream and earning for them to postponing their 2020 wedding amid COVID, and raising son Aathman alone during his tours—launched Varun from obscurity to a brilliant cricketer today. Their story shows that true love can help one achieve greater heights.

Photo: Varun Chakravarthy/ Instagram

Ace Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya recently credited his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, for reigniting his love and passion for cricket after his divorce. After Natasa Stankovic split, he dove into nets—6-7 hours daily at NCA Bengaluru, batting till midnight, Hardik shared recently. "I think the child in me, the cricket geek... was focusing more on my skill set as a bowler. After the last IPL, I realised I really wanted to play to Hardik’s full potential... That’s when Mahieka came into my life. We started talking about the sport and how to bring that child back. She helped me rediscover that excitement... I was usually the last person to leave and shut the lights off," he revealed. Her talks unlocked his untapped batting—proving fresh love revives passions.

"Hitman" Rohit Sharma has thanked his wife Ritika Sajdeh, for her love and support in many incidents. For instance, in 2021 Rohit Sharma thanked Ritika for scoring a century in the 2nd Test in a special way ahead of Valentine’s Day. “Fingers seem to be fine. Sammy and I giving mamma a little rub on sore fingers,” Rohit had tweeted.

More recently, on Ritika's birthday in 2026, Rohit shared some of their pictures together on social media, calling her his “constant non-striker’s end partner” and the glue that keeps their little family together. Through captaincy pressures, injuries, and triumphs, Ritika's quiet strength—managing home while he's away—keeps Rohit steady. In cricket's chaos, she's his calm at the crease.

In his retirement speech in 2013, legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar thanked his wife for the "best partnership" in life. "The most important thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife Anjali. I knew she was a doctor and had a wonderful career ahead of her. But when we decided to make a family, she said, ‘you continue with your cricket and I'll take care of the family’. Without that I think I couldn't have played so much cricket. Thank you for bearing with my fuss, frustration and all the nonsense I have said over the years. This is the best partnership I've had in my life," he said, crediting his wife Anjali Tendulkar too for his on-field success.Photo:Sachin Tendulkar/ Instagram