The much-anticipated wedding of Indian cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal has been officially postponed. The couple was set to tie the knot on November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra, but a sudden health crisis in both families forced a change of plans.
A Sudden Turn of Events
Pre-wedding celebrations for the high-profile couple were in full swing, lighting up social media with glimpses of their haldi and sangeet ceremonies. However, the festive atmosphere took a worrying turn on Sunday morning. Reports confirmed that Smriti Mandhana's father, Srinivas Mandhana, was hospitalized due to a heart-related issue.
In a double blow, the groom-to-be, Palash Muchhal, was also admitted to the hospital suffering from viral symptoms and complications related to acidity. His sister, renowned playback singer Palak Muchhal, later issued a statement confirming the postponement of all wedding ceremonies until the families recover their health.
Fortunately, there is positive news on the health front. Both Srinivas Mandhana and Palash Muchhal have since been discharged from the hospital and are reportedly on the path to recovery.
Social Media Clues and Fan Speculation
Amid the health scare, fans noticed curious activity on the couple's social media profiles, adding to the speculation. Smriti Mandhana deleted her proposal and engagement posts from her Instagram account. These posts, which included a viral video of Palash proposing at the DY Patil Stadium after her World Cup victory, had previously taken the internet by storm.
Adding to the mystery, her close friends and fellow cricketers, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shreyanka Patil, also removed their celebratory posts related to the wedding. Both Smriti and Palash have now added a 'nazar' emoji (🧿) to their Instagram bios, a common cultural symbol used to ward off negative energy or the 'evil eye'.
A Look Back at Their Love Story
Despite the current pause, the couple's relationship has been a source of inspiration for many. Their journey began away from the public glare.
The couple reportedly started dating in 2019, connecting over their shared values of ambition and a strong work ethic, despite hailing from different professional worlds. They kept their relationship private for years, with only subtle hints and rare appearances on each other's social media.
In July 2024, they made their relationship Instagram-official, celebrating five years together with a heartfelt post. Palash's devotion was further immortalized with a tattoo featuring Smriti's initials and jersey number, which he revealed as a tribute following India's Women's World Cup triumph.
The most public declaration came with the stadium proposal at the DY Patil Stadium, the very ground where Smriti had lifted the World Cup trophy. A now-deleted video showed her teammates cheering ecstatically as she showed off her engagement ring.
While the big day is on hold, fans across India and the world are flooding social media with love and good wishes, hoping for the speedy recovery of the families and for the couple to resume planning their wedding soon.
