Did Jwala Gutta play role in Azha-Sangeeta's divorce?

Long before social media fueled celebrity gossip, the split between Bollywood’s Sangeeta Bijlani and former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin became headline news in 2010. Their 14-year marriage crumbled amid swirling rumours of Azhar’s alleged closeness with badminton star Jwala Gutta—an allegation both parties denied, yet one that cast a lasting shadow on their high-profile union.

According to a report published in Pinkvilla, Sangeeta and Azharuddin, once one of India’s most high-profile couples, tied the knot in 1996. Their marriage hit a rough patch in 2010 amid reports linking Azharuddin to badminton player Jwala Gutta—rumours both denied, calling them baseless.What followed was a very public fallout, where sports controversies and personal matters collided. The couple, once seen as inseparable, ultimately parted ways—marking the end of a high-profile relationship that had captured national attention.Sangeeta and Azharuddin first crossed paths during an ad shoot in 1985. Their love story unfolded in the public eye, culminating in marriage on November 14, 1996, after Azhar’s divorce from his first wife, Naureen. From red carpets to charity matches, the couple were regulars at high-profile events, living life in the limelight.By mid-2010, speculation about Azharuddin’s growing closeness with badminton star Jwala Gutta began making headlines.

Reports pointed to their frequent meetings at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium and during badminton championships in Delhi, fueling rumors that their friendship may have gone beyond the professional.When rumours of divorce began swirling, Azharuddin dismissed them as “baseless and in bad taste.” Speaking to the media, he acknowledged knowing Jwala Gutta but insisted she was just a good friend. He also alleged that the controversy was fueled by rivals within the Badminton Association of India (BAI) attempting to sabotage his campaign for the BAI presidency.Jwala Gutta dismissed the rumours in a Times of India interview, calling them “disgusting” and blaming sports politics. Despite strong denials from both sides, the controversy impacted Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani’s marriage, which ended soon after.Sangeeta Bijlani and Mohammad Azharuddin ended their 14-year marriage in 2010, closing the chapter on one of cricket’s most high-profile unions—shadowed by rumours that lingered despite repeated denials.