Rohit Sharma engaged, pops question where it all began

Popping the question is not that easy. There's more to it than going to the best fine dining restaurant in town, getting down on one knee and presenting your lady love with a ring in a candlelit room. No wonder then that Rohit Sharma chose to be zara hatke.

Not for him the blue mountain and the sandy beach. Not for him the waterfall or the Eiffel Tower. On the night on April 28, the elegant batsman brought out the romantic in him. True to his style, the India opener and Mumbai Indians captain put on his amorous cap to make things all the more special for the love of his life. No, he didn't hire a private jet and whisk her off to a faraway island. That's for another day, perhaps.

The 28-year-old drove Ritika, a true-blue Cuffe Parade girl, to the Borivli Sports Club. That's the ground where he first played the game with an intention to make it big. That was many years ago. In fact, Rohit was just 11 then. A few minutes after midnight, he surprised her by pulling out a beautiful ring — solitaire, of course — and uttered those four lovely words. Ritika hasn't stopped smiling since. Ever heard of any international cricketer take his girl to the temple of his initiation? Rohit is one of a kind.

Rohit, who holds the world record for the highest score in ODI cricket, has known Ritika for six years. And the lovebirds believe they have spent enough time to take their relationship to the next level.

A word on Ritika. The 28-year-old sports manager makes it a point to be at every game involving Rohit. And that includes domestic games which are usually played in front of virtually empty stands. Keeping her fingers crossed and refusing to engage in conversation — not even hi-hello — when her dearest "Ro" is batting, Ritika is clearly his biggest fan.

This news is bound to make all the other lovely ladies out there jealous but, hey, let's wish these guys luck. This also means the Indian dressing room will have one bachelor less now. When's the shaadi? Watch this space.