Indian cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has made her first public appearance since her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal was unexpectedly postponed, but it was a detail in her Instagram post that captured everyone's attention. In a video shared on Friday as part of a brand collaboration, fans were quick to notice that her engagement ring was conspicuously absent, shifting the mood from celebration to widespread concern and curiosity online.
Social Media Erupts Over Bare Ring Finger
The post itself was a paid promotion for a leading toothpaste brand. However, the focus swiftly moved from the advertisement to Mandhana's left hand. The absence of her engagement ring ignited a firestorm of speculation across social media platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
While some users theorized that the video might have been filmed before the couple's engagement, many others interpreted the missing ring as a potential sign of ongoing strain following the wedding's postponement. The comments section filled with observations from worried supporters.
One fan pointedly noted, "The smile is back, (and the ring is gone) thankyou for this." Another user expressed, "Why it feels like she is sad ,she is smiling but her voice and her eyes looks she is sad and she is not wearing her engagement ring." A third comment read, "Her voice yaar, that breaking one hurts bad... and that ring is gone is all that we needed to know about it." The simple question "Where's the ring?" was also posted widely on X.
The Reason Behind the Wedding Delay
The speculation comes in the wake of the sudden cancellation of Mandhana and Muchhal's wedding, which was scheduled for 23 November in Sangli, Maharashtra. The ceremony was called off at the last minute due to a serious family health emergency.
Smriti Mandhana's father, Srinivas Mandhana, fell ill suddenly and had to be rushed to the hospital. In a compounding turn of events, the very next day, groom-to-be Palash Muchhal was also admitted to the hospital, suffering from severe stress and exhaustion. Although both men have since been discharged, the families collectively made the difficult decision to put the wedding plans on hold indefinitely.
Mandhana's brother has confirmed that the marriage remains postponed, despite online rumors about a new date. Adding to the uncertainty, the couple has removed all their pre-wedding and engagement-related photographs from their respective social media accounts.
Families Seek Privacy and Focus on Recovery
The emotional toll on both families has been significant. Palash Muchhal's sister, playback singer Palak Muchhal, recently spoke about the challenging period they are navigating. She described it as a "very tough time" and appealed to fans and the media for sensitivity and privacy. Her emphasis was on the family's need to recover and maintain a positive outlook.
Echoing this sentiment, Palash's mother provided further context, revealing that Palash had vowed not to proceed with the wedding until Smriti's father recovered fully. She expressed hope that once the situation stabilizes, the families will be able to revisit and finalize the wedding arrangements.
As of now, neither Smriti Mandhana nor Palash Muchhal has addressed the speculation regarding the missing ring or provided any update on a potential new wedding date. The families' request for space and privacy during this personal time stands.
