Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana cancels wedding one month after viral stadium proposal

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal have ended their relationship and cancelled their wedding, bringing weeks of speculation to a close.

The cancellation came almost a month after images of Muchhal proposing to Mandhana at a cricket stadium went viral on social media.

The couple had first postponed their planned wedding on November 24, but later confirmed that the ceremony would not take place.

Mandhana, who rarely comments on her personal life, addressed the matter through a brief Instagram story, saying that there had been “a lot of speculation” in recent weeks. She prefers to keep her private matters out of the public eye but needed to clarify that “the wedding is called off,” she added,  requesting privacy for both families as they “process and move on.”

Mandhana added that cricket remains her main priority, which she said was her “higher purpose,” and said she intends to keep focusing on representing India as long as she can.

Muchhal also issued a statement around the same time, describing the past few weeks as extremely difficult. Without going into detail, he said he had chosen to “move on” from the relationship. He criticised rumours circulating online and warned that his team would pursue legal action against those involved in “false and defamatory” claims.

The couple had attracted attention after Muchhal publicly proposed to Mandhana at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai in November. Following their announcements on Sunday, both unfollowed each other on Instagram, and Mandhana removed all posts related to their engagement.