IPL 2026: How Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma met his wife Pratima Singh: From sport stars to parents

The IPL season is back, and so is Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma who is playing for Gujarat Titans. But fans aren't just eyeing his fiery yorkers— they're reminiscing his sweetest win off-field-- his now-wife Pratima Singh. But, did you know that Ishant Sharma's wife Pratima was also a sportsperson before they got married? Read on to know more about their cute love story here:

The year was 2011. Ishant Sharma was already a household name in Indian cricket, but Pratima Singh was a titan in her own right. Hailing from Varanasi’s famous "Singh Sisters"—a family that is essentially the royalty of Indian basketball— Pratima was a star player for the Indian National Women’s Basketball team.

Their first meeting happened at a local basketball tournament where Ishant was invited as the Chief Guest. Ironically, Pratima wasn't even playing that day; she was nursing a knee injury and was assigned the job of the scorer.

Ishant, not realising she was a professional athlete, jokingly told his friend (Pratima’s sister), "The scorers here are quite pretty!" His friend quickly corrected him: "She’s not just a scorer; she’s a national-level basketball player!" For Ishant, it was love at first sight. He later admitted in an interview with Spicy Pitch that he knew from day one he wanted to marry her.

Despite Ishant’s fame, Pratima wasn't easily impressed. Being an elite athlete herself, she lived in a world of discipline and hard work, far removed from the glitz and glamour of the cricket spotlight. And so, when Ishant sent her a friend request on Facebook, she didn't accept it for two whole years, as per reports!

But, Ishant’s persistence eventually paid off. He didn't play the "celebrity card"; instead, he showed up at her tournaments, sat in the stands, and waited for her to notice the man behind the cricketer. This eventually won Pratima's heart and the duo dated for roughly five years before getting married. They weren't just lovers; they were friends and sportspersons who understood the grind of training, the pain of injuries, and the pressure of representing India.

On December 9, 2016, Ishant Sharma and Pratima Singh finally got married in a beautiful ceremony at Notting Hill Farmhouse, Gurugram. It was a rare sighting of sports royalty— from MS Dhoni to Yuvraj Singh, they were there to cheer for their teammate, alongside the giants of Indian basketball. Their wedding felt like a family gathering of people who truly valued the sweat and toil of professional sports.

In November 2023, Ishant and Pratima welcome their daughter and shared the news on social media. "Our little miracle," they shared, hearts exploding emojis. The couple seems to be hands-on parents amid their busy schedules— with Ishant focussing on his matches and mentoring young pacers, while Pratima coaches. Their sweet love story shows that true love waits, and wins hearts with patience.