After her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal was suddenly called off, Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana made her first public appearance – or rather posted – on Instagram on Friday. The former celebratory mood gave way to worry and curiosity as fans were quick to notice that her engagement ring was missing.
Her post was part of a paid campaign with a leading toothpaste brand, but what turned heads wasn’t the ad — it was her bare ring finger. There were speculations on social networks. Some users claimed that the video may have been filmed before the engagement; others read the absence of a ring as a sign of underlying tension.
One fan commented: “The smile is back (and the ring is gone) thanks for that, that’s why Colgate.”
Another user wrote: “Why does she feel like she’s sad, she’s smiling but her voice and eyes look like she’s sad and she’s not wearing an engagement ring.”
“Her voice yaar the break hurts so bad 🥺 but so happy to see her doing it too 😭♥️ and the ring is gone is all we needed to know,” wrote a third user.
“Where’s the ring,” wrote a user on X.
What led to the postponement
Smriti and Palash’s wedding — set for November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra — was called off at the eleventh hour when Smriti’s father, Srinivas Mandhana, suffered a sudden medical emergency and was rushed to hospital. A day later, Palash was also admitted to the hospital due to stress and exhaustion. While both were released in the meantime, the families decided to postpone the wedding indefinitely.
Despite online speculation about the revised wedding date, Mandhana’s brother confirmed that the marriage remains on hold.
In light of the postponement, the couple also removed all pre-wedding and engagement posts from their social media, further adding to the uncertainty.
Families ask for privacy, hope for better days
Palash’s sister Palak Muchhal recently revealed the emotional toll on both families. She said they were going through “very difficult times” and asked fans and the media to be sensitive to the situation. She emphasized that her current focus is on her family’s recovery and maintaining a positive attitude.
To this, Palash’s mother reiterated that “when his father fell ill, Palash said he would not continue until he recovered”. She expressed hope that once the situation stabilizes, the families will resume wedding plans.
What’s next?
Neither Smriti nor Palash have yet issued a public statement clarifying the absence of the ring or confirming a new wedding date. The families have asked for privacy.
