From Virender Sehwag to Shahid Afridi: 5 cricketers who married their relative or friend's wife

Virender Sehwag got married to Aarti in 2004, as the couple have two sons. Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi tied the knot with Nadia, as the couple have five daughters together. Both Sehwag and Afridi have clashed against each other on numerous occasions.

Cricketers are known to be celebrities in the country. And, being a celebrity gives them the liberty and responsibility to set an example apart, as they also break barriers in society, which is generally considered a taboo by others.

Over the years, we have come across reports of cricketers getting married to their long-time girlfriends or childhood friends. Some have even married a divorcee or someone who happens to be elder to them.

Nonetheless, some have even married spouse who happens to be their relative or an ex-wife of some former cricketer. In the same light, we take a look at five of such cricketing couples.

Virender Sehwag and Aarti: Sehwag was well-known for being the most destructive opener India has ever seen. Although being a crush of many, Sehwag married Aarti in 2004. While it did break some hearts, hardly does anyone know that Aarti happens to be a distant relative of his. The two also had an affair for three years before getting hitched.

Upul Tharanga and Nilanka: Tharanga is one of the finest wicketkeeper-batsman for Sri Lanka. As for his personal life, he tied the knot with Nilanka. However, she happens to be the ex-wife of his former Sri Lankan teammate Tillakaratne Dilshan. She also has a son from her marriage with Dilshan.

Murali Vijay and Nikita: The Indian Test opener makes the list as well. He got married to Nikita, as the couple have three children together. Nonetheless, what's intriguing that she happens to be a divorcee, while her ex-husband is none other than Vijay's Tamil Nadu and Indian teammate Dinesh Karthik. Nikita reportedly had an affair with Vijay, while she was married to Karthik. After Karthik suspected this, he divorced her, as she wasted no time in tieing the knot with Vijay.

Saeed Anwar and Lubana: The prolific Pakistani batsman had the record of playing the biggest innings in ODI career, before being toppled by Sachin Tendulkar. As for his innings in his personal life, he married Lubana in 1996. Meanwhile, she happens to be his cousin, while she is a doctor by profession.

Shahid Afridi and Nadia: Afridi is a renowned name in the world of cricket, who needs no introduction. Currently retired now, he is playing the innings in his personal life, along with his wife Nadia. Although there's was an arranged marriage, she happens to be his cousin. The couple has five daughters together.