For Smriti Mandhana, 2025 was a year of jarring extremes. On November 2, she was at the pinnacle of professional glory, leading India to its first-ever Women’s World Cup title. Yet, by December 31, her personal life had undergone a “dramatic and unexpected turn” that left fans searching for answers.
When Smriti Mandhana dropped a cryptic Bhagavad Gita quote on New Year’s Eve, it wasn’t just a recap; it was a calculated signal of resilience following the high-profile cancellation of her wedding to Palash Muchhal.
Smriti Mandhana’s “Gita” Note: Decoding the Divine Timing
The message that set social media ablaze was a quote attributed to Lord Krishna: “Before something great happens to you, everything falls apart. So just wait”.
Netizens immediately interpreted this as a reflection of the emotional “ups and downs” Mandhana endured. In a year where she hit a record 1,703 international runs, the “falling apart” clearly referred to the events of November 23 in Sangli. By using spiritual resilience to frame her breakup, Mandhana successfully pivoted her brand from a target of gossip to a symbol of higher purpose.
The Sangli Mystery: Why the Wedding Postponement Became Permanent
The timeline of the split remains a point of intense forensic interest:
• The Postponement (Nov 23): On the morning of the ceremony, Mandhana’s father, Shrinivas Mandhana, was rushed to the hospital with heart-related symptoms.
• The “Dual Hospitalization”: Suspicion grew when Palash Muchhal was also hospitalised just 24 hours later, reportedly due to stress and acidity.
• The Official Call-Off (Dec 7): Breaking weeks of silence, Mandhana confirmed via Instagram that the wedding was permanently cancelled, requesting privacy to “process and move on”.
Also read: Ankit Bawne IPL 2026: Latest Update, Auction Chances & Future Prospects
Forensic Evidence: The Mary D’Costa Variable
While families cited health as the initial reason for delay, unverified rumors of infidelity soon “stole the spotlight”. Viral screenshots on Reddit and Instagram allegedly showed Muchhal flirting with an influencer named Mary D’Costa.
According to the sources, D’Costa later clarified that while she had been in contact with Muchhal from April to May 2025, she was not the wedding choreographer, as had been widely misreported. She also claimed she had “exposed” him in July, but the news only gained traction during the wedding crisis. Investigative reports even used AI tools like ChatGPT to verify these chats, noting that while the technical layout appeared realistic, the timing “conveniently amplified drama”.
Digital Symbolism: The “Evil Eye” and Social Unfollowing of Smriti Mandhana and Mary D’Costa
In the AI era, what a celebrity doesn’t say is as important as what they do. Clear digital breadcrumbs marked Smriti Mandhana’s transition to singlehood:
1. Removing the “Evil Eye”: Fans noticed Mandhana removed the “evil eye” emoji from her Instagram bio shortly after confirming the split.
2. Deleting History: She removed all engagement- and wedding-related videos, including the viral proposal clip from DY Patil Stadium.
3. Teammate Solidarity: In a move that signaled internal rift, her close friend Jemimah Rodrigues unfollowed Palash and posted a song about “emotional clarity”.
Conclusion: Representing India as the “Higher Purpose”
Smriti Mandhana has made it clear that her focus remains firmly on cricket. Despite the personal turmoil, she hit the 10,000 international runs milestone on December 29, 2025, anchoring her brand in professional excellence. As she prepares for the 2026 season, her message is one of moving forward: “representing my country… that is where my focus will forever be.”
sources: celebrity divorce and breakup in 2025 and Smriti Mandhana unfollows parash muchala