Smriti Mandhana Calls Off Wedding, Requests Privacy Amid Speculation

Cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal have confirmed that they have called off their wedding, ending several weeks of speculation surrounding their personal lives. The pair issued separate statements on Instagram on Wednesday, each asking for privacy as both families contend with the decision.

Mandhana, whose public presence has largely remained centred on her cricketing career, wrote that she felt compelled to address the rumours. Describing herself as a private person, she said the past few weeks had been difficult, and that she wished to “close this matter here”. She asked fans and the media to respect the boundaries she was setting and to allow both families the space to “process and move on”. Mandhana added that her long-term focus remained her commitment to representing India, which she described as her “higher purpose”.

Muchhal echoed her call for restraint, writing that he had “decided to move on” from the relationship, and that the scrutiny surrounding the couple had taken a toll. He criticised what he described as unfounded rumours spreading online and said they had caused distress at a time when he was dealing with personal upheaval. In his note, he stressed the harm caused by speculation about private matters and said his team would pursue legal action against those circulating defamatory content.

The couple had been expected to marry on 23 November in Mandhana’s hometown of Sangli, with festivities beginning earlier in the month. However, the celebrations were halted after Mandhana’s father was admitted to hospital, followed shortly by Muchhal’s own hospitalisation. Although both were later discharged, there was no update on the wedding plans, prompting further conjecture online.

Muchhal’s sister, singer Palak Muchhal, had recently acknowledged the strain the situation had placed on both their families, asking their supporters to prioritise empathy during a challenging period.