‘Don’t think I love…’: Smriti Mandhana makes first public statement after wedding split with Palash Muchhal

India‘s premier left-handed batter Smriti Mandhana made her first public appearance since calling off her wedding to musician Palash Muchhal, captivating audiences at the Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi on December 10, 2025. The vice-captain of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025-winning team emphasized her unwavering devotion to cricket amid personal challenges. Her candid reflections highlighted how the sport serves as her ultimate anchor, blocking out external noise.​

Smriti Mandhana breaks her silence following wedding call-off with Palash Muchhal

Mandhana traced her journey from a 2013 T20I debut against Bangladesh at age 16 to leading India as a vice captain to a historic 52-run World Cup final victory over South Africa on November 2, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. She amassed a tournament-record 434 runs, including a century and two fifties, surpassing Mithali Raj‘s 409-run mark from 2017.

“I don’t think there is anything I love more than cricket. Putting on the India jersey is the biggest motivation. No matter what you’re going through, that one thought helps you block everything out,” she stated at the summit, crediting childhood obsession with batting for her world champion status.​

The emotional triumph, watched by legends Mithali and Jhulan Goswami, symbolized closure for past generations, with tears underscoring women’s cricket’s evolution. Mandhana stressed team ethos: starting from zero each match and playing collectively, not individually. Her poise at the summit, days after confirming the November 23 wedding postponement, initially due to her father Shriniwas‘s heart scare, drew widespread admiration.​

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Mandhana navigating personal life amid speculation

The wedding fallout followed intense rumors, including infidelity claims against Muchhal, denied by his family, and teammate Radha Yadav unfollowing him on Instagram. Both Mandhana and Muchhal issued statements on December 7, 2025, confirming the split, urging privacy, and warning of legal action against defamatory content. Pre-wedding festivities in Sangli had drawn teammates, but Muchhal’s family returned to Mumbai amid the crisis.​

Mandhana’s focus remains on cricket, with upcoming series against Australia and England testing her form. Fans praised her resilience, viewing the summit as a bold statement of priorities. As India’s most prolific women’s ODI opener, her career, boasting centuries across formats, continues inspiring a new era. This episode reinforces her legacy beyond personal headlines.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.