Smriti Mandhana's relationship timeline: From the meet-cute to the grand proposal

Move over, Virushka!

Make way for the newest Cricket and Bollywood duo in the tinsel town: it’s Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal, the soon-to-be-married couple!

In a love story that feels like it was written for a movie script with a glorious victory in the end, Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana and music composer-filmmaker Palash Muchhal have made their engagement official with a heartwarming video, having journeyed from long-time friends to finally, “fiancés.”

Their relationship — tender, joyful, and deeply rooted in mutual respect — has captured the hearts of fans across cricket and entertainment. The duo began dating almost six years ago, but kept their relationship private until they made it public last year, to celebrate their fifth anniversary. Late last year, Palash proposed to Smriti, and long story short — the pair is set to marry on November 23, in Smriti’s hometown of Sangli, Maharashtra.

The public reveal of Smriti and Palash’s relationship was as sweet as it was subtle: Smriti shared a fun Instagram Reel featuring teammates dancing, before flashing her engagement ring — a candid, joyous moment that went viral. Behind the scenes, their bond has grown since 2019 through shared values, support for each other’s dreams, and a deep emotional connection.

Here’s a look at their relationship timeline — from their “meet-cute” to the grand proposal, in a story full of warmth, laughter, and love.

The story begins in 2019, when Smriti and Palash reportedly started dating. Though their worlds of cricket and music seemed very different, they found a shared rhythm — both were ambitious, creative, and passionate about their crafts. Over time, they built a close friendship that naturally blossomed into something more.

For several years, the couple maintained a low profile. While they would occasionally appear in social media photos together, they largely stayed out of the spotlight. Their discretion only deepened the sense of respect between them, with both focusing on their careers — Smriti on the cricket field, and Palash in his musical and filmmaking journey.

The turning point came in July 2024, when Smriti and Palash marked their fifth anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post, officially acknowledging their relationship. This small but meaningful acknowledgment felt like a promise — a public celebration of a love that had quietly grown strong over time.

After years of speculation, Palash dropped a playful yet clear hint at a press event in October 2025. When asked about Smriti, he said heartwarmingly, “She will soon become the daughter-in-law of Indore.” This was his way of confirming their future together, which immediately sent their fans into a frenzy: Virushka 2.0 loading and how!

The most joyful moment came right after the glorious win of the World Cup by the Women’s Cricket Team of India. Palash flaunted a tattoo on his hand, with Smriti’s initials and her jersey number, while celebrating his lady love — loudly and proudly! Then came the viral Instagram Reels: one, where Palash took a blindfolded Smriti, dressed in red, to the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where she, along with her team, lifted the World Cup and proposed her with the engagement ring, and another where Smriti, surrounded by her Women’s Cricket World Cup teammates, danced her way into a beautiful reveal — raising her hand to proudly show off her engagement ring. The playful, team-filled celebration showed how cherished Smriti is both on and off the field.

Smriti and Palash are set to tie the knot in Sangli, Maharashtra — Smriti’s hometown — on November 23. The wedding festivities have already started a couple of days prior to the wedding date! Their Haldi pictures have already painted the internet in a bright and happy shade of yellow!

What’s more wholesome is that Smriti and Palash’s bond isn’t just between the two of them — it’s welcomed deeply by their families. In fact, Palash’s sister, Palak Muchhal, has spoken fondly about him and called Smriti “like a sister and my best friend.” Their connection feels rooted not just in romance but in real friendship, respect, and mutual admiration. Moreover, the choice to celebrate in Sangli adds a personal, heartfelt touch to the event, bringing together the worlds of cricket, music, and family in a warm, joyous union.