Ashok Dinda to wed cricket-loving fiancee on July 22
The pacer from Bengal met his wife-to-be four years ago but decided on marriage during this year's IPL.
Indian cricketer Ashok Dinda is set to marry his sweetheart, Sreyasi Rudra. The wedding is on July 22 at Chinsurah, a Kolkata suburb. Dinda's reception will be at a Kolkata club on July 24.
Dinda met Sreyasi at a friend's residence four years ago and it was not love at first sight.
"We met again after a few years at a party and I liked her, but we did not exchange numbers. After our third meeting, I took her number from a friend and we kept in touch. She is the most sober girl I've ever met. I made her meet my mom one and half years ago. I gave her hints about my feelings then, but she brushed me off. I kept pursuing her till she gave in," Dinda told a newspaper.
Sreyasi, a software engineer, and Dinda decided to wed during this year's IPL. A July date was fixed since that's a lean season for cricket. "Later, I would get busy with matches, so this was the best time," said the fast bowler from Bengal.
Unlike many wives of cricket stars, Sreyasi comes from a family of cricket enthusiasts. "So, I had no option but to love cricket. Even my 86-year-old grandmother is mad about cricket," says Sreyasi.
Dinda has played 13 ODIs and nine T20 internationals for India. He is yet to play a Test match and the 29-year old currently represents Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, having earlier played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils.