Smriti Mandhana Officially Calls Off Wedding with Palash Muchhal
‘I Would Like to Close This Matter Here’: Indian Cricket Star Ends Weeks of Speculation, Requests Privacy as Both Families Move Forward
NewsArc Digital Desk | December 7, 2025
Indian cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has officially confirmed the cancellation of her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal, ending weeks of intense speculation and media scrutiny following the postponement of their November 23 ceremony.
In a candid statement shared via Instagram Stories on Saturday evening, Mandhana stated that the wedding has been called off and requested that everyone respect both families’ privacy. The 29-year-old left-handed batter, known for her reserved nature, addressed persistent rumors directly for the first time since the wedding was postponed.
“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,” Mandhana wrote in her statement. “I am a very private person and I would like to keep it that way, but I need to clarify that the wedding is called off.”
The World Cup winner chose not to disclose the reason for the cancellation and did not name Muchhal in her statement. She emphasized her desire to move forward, writing, “I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I request you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace.”
Palash Muchhal Issues Separate Statement
Minutes after Mandhana’s announcement, Muchhal shared his own message on Instagram, confirming that he had decided to move on from the personal relationship. The 30-year-old composer expressed anguish over what he described as baseless online speculation about matters he considered sacred.
“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,” he wrote. “It’s the most difficult phase of my life and I will deal with it gracefully holding on to my beliefs.”
Muchhal urged the public to reflect before amplifying unverified claims, stating that he hopes society will learn to pause before judging someone based on unverified gossip. He also announced that his team would pursue strict legal action against those spreading false or defamatory content.
The Wedding That Wasn’t
The ceremony was originally planned for November 23 at the Mandhana family farmhouse in Samdol, Maharashtra. However, the celebrations came to an abrupt halt when Mandhana’s father, Shriniwas, was hospitalized due to a heart ailment on the morning of the wedding. Days later, Muchhal himself required brief hospitalization, reportedly due to stress from the situation.
Pre-wedding celebrations had begun a couple of days earlier, with several of Mandhana’s teammates from the Indian women’s cricket team in attendance. The couple had been in a relationship since 2019.
Social Media Signals
Soon after releasing their respective statements, Mandhana and Muchhal also unfollowed each other on Instagram, signaling a definitive end to their relationship. The move came as both emphasized their desire to move forward separately.
Media Scrutiny and Rumor Mill
The postponement triggered a wave of speculation across social media and news platforms. Rumors circulated, including unverified claims about alleged cheating, which Muchhal explicitly denied in his statement. The intense media attention on what was essentially a family medical emergency raised questions about privacy boundaries for public figures.
Focus Returns to Cricket
Despite the personal setback, Mandhana emphasized that representing her country remains her top priority. In her statement, she wrote, “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, and that is where my focus will forever be.”
The timing of the cancellation comes just weeks after India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 victory. Mandhana finished as India’s top run-scorer in the tournament with 434 runs at an average of 54.25, playing a crucial role in India’s first-ever World Cup title.
Looking ahead, Mandhana is set to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the upcoming Women’s Premier League, scheduled to begin on January 9 in Navi Mumbai.
About the Individuals
Smriti Mandhana is one of India’s most accomplished cricketers, serving as vice-captain of the national team. Known for her elegant stroke play and consistency at the top of the order, she has been instrumental in India’s recent successes in international cricket.
Palash Muchhal made his Bollywood debut as a music composer at 18 years old, working on the 2014 film Dishkiyaoon. He later ventured into filmmaking, directing the 2022 film Ardh. His sister, Palak Muchhal, is a renowned playback singer known globally for funding thousands of heart surgeries through charity concerts.
As both individuals have requested privacy during this difficult time, NewsArc urges readers to respect their wishes and refrain from engaging in speculation or spreading unverified information.
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