Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has finally broken his silence on long-standing rumours linking him romantically with Bollywood actress and Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta. In a recent interview with Bombay Times, the cricketer firmly dismissed the speculation that has followed him for years.
“Here’s your scoop — I never dated a Bollywood actress. Preity Zinta and I were, and still are, great friends. She was the boss of the Punjab team back then. She’s an incredibly smart woman, and I have a lot of respect for her,” Lee said. He added that the constant gossip never affected him. “Stories like that never bothered me because I always knew the truth. People can speculate all they want, but I never let it affect me.”
The rumours first surfaced between 2008 and 2011 when Lee played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), the franchise co-owned by Zinta. The two were often seen together at matches and team events, and speculation intensified after they were photographed dining at a Mumbai restaurant. Despite the frequent media attention, neither confirmed any romantic involvement at the time.
Zinta herself had addressed the talk back in 2010, calling it “outdated and stale news” and clarifying that they were simply friends. Lee’s recent comments now put the matter to rest once and for all, reaffirming that their bond has always been one of mutual respect and friendship.
Lee, who later moved to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011, has maintained a warm association with Zinta over the years. His candid remarks bring closure to one of the most persistent gossip stories from the early days of the Indian Premier League.
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