There are announcements, and then there are Smriti Mandhana-style announcements—the sort that slip into the internet with a breezy charm and then explode into a full-blown frenzy before you’ve even finished
your morning tea. For years, fans have speculated, dissected clues, zoomed into photos, and made peace with the fact that the Indian cricket star guards her personal life with the same calm precision she uses against fast bowlers. And then, on an ordinary day that suddenly became not-so-ordinary, she posted a short, choreographed video with her teammates—Jemimah Rodrigues, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy—dancing to Samjho Ho Hi Gaya from Lage Raho Munna Bhai. What felt like a charming team-bonding reel took a sharp emotional turn in the final seconds: Smriti lifted her hand, flashed a ring, and with that simple gesture confirmed the news that fans had been whispering about for months—she is engaged to Bollywood music composer Palash Muchhal. If cricket Twitter had access to fireworks, they would have used them. But who exactly is the man who has won the heart of India’s World Cup hero? And what is the story behind this romance that has been five careful years in the making? As Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal begin a new chapter, here is the full, detailed, utterly delightful saga of music, cricket, and a love story that could easily be mistaken for a Bollywood script—ironically involving a man who actually writes them.
Smriti Mandhana’s Fun Video That Broke the Internet
The engagement reveal itself was very Smriti—low-key, warm, and effortlessly charming. The video, created with help from her fellow India teammates, was choreographed to the retro-nostalgic Samjho Ho Hi Gaya, a track already synonymous with sweet, uncomplicated love. It took minutes—not hours—for the clip to go viral. By the time viewers reached the end, Smriti had already managed to stun the country with her subtle ring-reveal. No press conference. No elaborate captions. Just a smile, a ring, and a song.
Meet Palash Muchhal: The Fiancé Behind the Music
While Smriti remains a household name across cricket-loving nations, Palash Muchhal is a name Bollywood listeners may recognise in passing—until they dig a little deeper. So, who is the man at the centre of all this excitement?
His Early Life and Family
Born on 22 May 1995 into a Marwari family in Indore, Palash grew up in a home steeped in music. His sister, Palak Muchhal, is a celebrated playback singer with songs like Laapataa, Meri Aashiqui, Jumme Ki Raat, Teri Meri Kahaani, and Dekha Hazaaron Dafaa to her credit. Their household was one where riyaaz came before recess, and the siblings were encouraged to use their talent not merely for fame but for impact. Fun fact: together, the Muchhal siblings have raised funds through charity concerts that have enabled over 2,900 heart surgeries for children. By Bollywood standards, that number belongs in the “heroic” category.
The Youngest Music Director in India
Palash’s big break came early—very early. At just 18, he became India’s youngest music director with Shilpa Shetty’s action thriller Dishkiyaoon (2014). Since then, he has composed for films like Bhoomi, Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive, and Bollywood tracks including Party Toh Banti Hai from Bhoothnath Returns and the much-loved Tu Hi Hai Aashiqui.
But he isn’t just a composer. He has also directed the ZEE5 film Ardh and created dozens of music videos for T-Series and Zee Music. Despite the glamour, those close to him describe him as soft-spoken—almost shy. In an interview quoted by The Times of India, he admitted, “I’m very shy in public… I feel shy even when I pose for pictures.” A strange contradiction for someone whose life plays out on big screens and playlists, but perhaps that’s the charm.
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal: How It All Began
Behind the calm poise of Smriti and the artistic gentleness of Palash lies a love story that began quietly in 2019. Introduced by mutual friends in Mumbai’s creative circles, the two connected instantly—not with dramatic sparks, but the sort of comfortable, natural ease that later becomes the foundation of long-lasting love. They kept their relationship almost entirely off the record for years. Keen-eyed fans noticed the occasional comment, a fleeting birthday message, a photo that seemed cropped one centimetre too conveniently—but nothing concrete.
The First Public Confirmation: Cake, Not Confetti
After five years of privacy, the couple finally made their relationship Instagram-official in July 2024 with a photograph of a tiny cake reading “5 ❤️”. No fancy pose, no romantic montage. Just a soft declaration on a plate. Classic Smriti. Classic Palash.
The Tattoo That Had Fans Melting
If you search “poetic gestures” in the cricket universe, Palash’s name will likely pop up. To celebrate Smriti’s impeccable World Cup run, he got a tattoo on his forearm: a solid grey circle with the inscription “SM18”. “SM” for Smriti Mandhana. “18” for her jersey number. Fans called it “the most poetic tattoo in cricket history”, and even veteran cricketers quietly agreed. It was a gesture that confirmed one thing: this composer doesn’t just make music—he lives it.
A Proposal Straight Out of a Bollywood Film (And Yet, Very Them)
When it came to making things official, Palash didn’t go for a grand gesture or stadium proposal. Instead, he proposed to Smriti in the presence of their families, in a setting that felt warm rather than extravagant. Before going down on one knee, he sang her a completely new song he had written just for her—gentle, melodic, and unlike any of his previous compositions. As the final note faded, he asked the question that had been years in waiting. Smriti, overwhelmed, said yes through happy tears. They cut a small cake, hugged their parents, and sealed their five-year story with the quiet promise of forever.
What Palak Muchhal Says About Smriti Mandhana
In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Palak Muchhal said something that won many hearts: “My relationship with Smriti Mandhana is something I truly cherish. She’s a beautiful person. We’re very close. I’m extremely proud of her as a person, a woman, and an artist. Her talent is not a fluke. She excels in her job, is family-oriented, and values a lot. She is my best friend.” It’s not every day that a sister speaks of her brother’s partner with such warmth—and for fans, it felt like the sweetest confirmation of the depth of this relationship.
Smriti Mandhana’s World Cup Glory (Because Cricket Always Finds a Way Into Her Story)
Amid the romantic milestones, Smriti was also busy rewriting cricketing history. In the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, she finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 434 runs, right behind South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. In the final, she delivered a poised and crucial 45 off 58 balls, hammering eight boundaries with the kind of composure that has made her one of India’s most admired athletes. Her brilliance on the field paired with Palash’s creativity off it makes them a duo that fans can’t help but root for.
The Wedding Date? Still Under Wraps
For now, the couple has not announced their wedding date. And if their past is anything to go by, they’ll reveal it when they’re ready—maybe in a video, maybe with a cake, maybe through a song. But certainly in a way that is entirely and authentically theirs.
A Love Story That Feels Like a Song and Plays Like a Match
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal’s relationship is the rare kind that feels grounded despite its glamour. Their story has music, sport, patience, humour, understated romance, and now—finally—a shiny engagement ring. One composes melodies. One composes innings. Together, they’ve composed a love story that fans will be talking about for a long time.