Smriti Mandhana, after calling off her wedding with Palash Muchhal, shares three big updates you can’t miss | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Smriti Mandhana has been in the spotlight ever since she announced that her wedding with composer Palash Muchhal had been called off. In the days following the confirmation, the India vice-captain has shared — directly and indirectly — three notable updates that have caught the attention of fans and sparked fresh online conversation.First: Back to training immediatelyJust a day after issuing her statement about the cancelled wedding, Smriti Mandhana was back on the field. A photo shared by her brother, Shravan Mandhana, showed the star batter in full training mode — padded up, facing throwdowns, and wearing her training jersey at what appeared to be a private facility. Heart emojis accompanied the picture, which quickly went viral across social media.
Many fans praised Mandhana for her resilience and dedication, especially at a time when she is coping with a difficult personal phase. The left-hander is set to return to competitive cricket later this month during India’s five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from December 21 to 30.Second: A cryptic Instagram post goes viralDays after confirming the breakup, Mandhana posted a promotional picture on Instagram with the caption, “For me, calm isn’t silence — it’s control.” The post crossed eight lakh likes within hours, fuelling speculation once again regarding the circumstances behind the separation. Though the caption was part of a paid smartphone campaign, fans linked it to her personal situation, interpreting it as a message of strength and self-assurance.Third: A subtle Instagram bio change sparks chatterMandhana also made headlines after removing the evil-eye emoji from her Instagram bio — a tiny update that nevertheless led to widespread speculation. With reports already circulating about the wedding being called off, the change triggered fresh discussions among fans trying to decipher its meaning.These developments came after Mandhana finally broke her silence, requesting privacy and urging everyone to stop the speculation surrounding her personal life. She clarified that the wedding had been officially called off and emphasised that her focus remains “firmly on cricket” as India enters a packed international season.“I need to clarify that the wedding is called off. I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same,” she wrote.“Over the past few weeks there has been plenty of speculation around my life and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time,” she said in an Instagram post.Calling herself a “very private person”, Mandhana said the need to set the record straight compelled her to speak.She requested fans and the public to “respect the privacy of both families” and allow them the “space to process and move on”.Mandhana, who is preparing for India’s upcoming international season, said her focus remains firmly on cricket.“I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all and for me that has always been representing my country at the highest level. I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible,” she said.Soon after Mandhana’s post, Palash Muchhal issued his own statement, confirming that he had “decided to move on” and expressing anguish over what he described as baseless online chatter.“I have decided to move on in my life and step back from my personal relationship. It’s been very difficult for me to see people react so easily on baseless rumours about something which has been most sacred to me.“It’s the most difficult phase of my life and I will deal with it gracefully holding on to my beliefs,” he wrote.He urged the public to reflect before amplifying unverified claims.“I truly hope we, as a society, learn to pause before judging someone based on unverified gossip, whose sources are never identified. Our words can wound in ways we may never understand,” he added.Muchhal also said his team would take legal action against those spreading defamatory content.“My team will be taking strict legal action against those spreading false and defamatory content,” he said, thanking those who had supported him with “kindness” during this period.The development comes days after singer Palak Muchhal, sister of Palash, spoke on the issue.“I think the families have been through a very tough time… we would like to spread positivity as much as we can. We are also trying to stay strong,” she had said.Both statements come against the backdrop of intensified social media discussions and unverified reports, prompting public figures to step in to curb conjecture.Mandhana, 28, has been a central figure in Indian women’s cricket for nearly a decade, and her presence in the batting line-up has been crucial across formats. With India set for a busy 2026 calendar, the left-hander reiterated that her professional commitments remain her priority.“Thank you for all your support. It’s time to move forward,” her note concluded.
