Smriti Mandhana Returns to Nets Within 24 Hours of Calling Off Wedding

Indian women’s cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana wasted no time returning to the nets barely 24 hours after publicly announcing the cancellation of her wedding with music composer Palash Muchhal. A photograph posted by her brother Shravan on Instagram captured the elegant left-hander in full batting gear, facing throwdowns at a private facility with trademark focus and intensity. The image, accompanied only by heart emojis, rapidly spread across social media as fans lauded the 29-year-old’s resilience and unwavering professionalism amid personal turmoil.

The wedding, originally scheduled for November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra, was abruptly postponed when Mandhana’s father suffered a cardiac emergency on the morning of the ceremony. Reports subsequently emerged that Muchhal had also been hospitalised, allegedly due to extreme stress. Initial statements described the postponement as temporary, raising hopes of a rescheduled date once both families recovered. However, no new date materialised, pre-wedding posts gradually disappeared from social media, and the couple unfollowed each other, signalling an irreversible breakdown.

On December 7, Mandhana broke her silence with a concise Instagram statement: “I need to clarify that the wedding is called off.” Requesting privacy for both families, she reaffirmed that representing India remained her foremost priority. Hours later, Palash Muchhal echoed the finality, stating he had chosen to “move on” while denouncing “baseless rumours” and threatening legal action against defamatory content. Unverified social-media speculation alleging infidelity or third-party involvement has circulated widely, though neither party has addressed such claims.

Also Read: Smriti Mandhana Officially Call Off her Wedding with Palash Muchhal

Support from teammates has been unwavering, with close friend Jemimah Rodrigues notably withdrawing from the Women’s Big Bash League overseas to stand by Mandhana during this challenging period. The batting stalwart’s swift return to training reflects her determination to channel personal adversity into professional excellence as India prepares for a five-match T20I home series against Sri Lanka starting December 21, followed by leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League from January 9.

Mandhana’s composed return to the crease has reinforced her reputation as one of world cricket’s most dedicated athletes. As the elegant opener gears up for crucial international assignments and the defence of RCB’s WPL title, her focus on the field sends a powerful message: personal setbacks will not derail her commitment to the sport that has defined her remarkable journey.

Also Read: Smriti Mandhana Reappears After Wedding Postponement, Missing Ring Draws Attention