Indian women’s cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s wedding celebrations in Sangli, Maharashtra, were abruptly halted on Sunday when her father, Shrinivas Mandhana, fell seriously ill. Hospitalised immediately, his condition forced the couple to postpone the much-anticipated ceremony. Mandhana’s business manager, Tuhin Mishra, confirmed that the decision to halt proceedings was made by the cricketer herself, prioritising her father’s recovery. “Smriti is very close to her father. She decided that until her father gets well, this marriage… is indefinitely postponed,” Mishra said.Medical clarification on father’s healthInitially feared to be a heart attack, Mandhana’s father was later diagnosed with angina. Dr Naman Shah, the family physician, explained that Shrinivas experienced left-sided chest pain, with elevated cardiac enzyme readings and high blood pressure prompting hospital observation. “If the situation exacerbates, we will have to do angiography,” Dr Shah noted, adding that his condition was being closely monitored.
Fiance Palash Muchhal also hospitalisedIn a stressful turn, Mandhana’s fiancé Palash Muchhal was also admitted to a hospital shortly after her father’s illness. He was treated for viral symptoms and acidity issues, though his condition was not serious. Following initial treatment in Sangli, Palash has been moved to Mumbai for rest and recovery, under the watchful eye of his family.Social Media cleanup sparks curiosityFollowing the events, Mandhana deleted all wedding-related posts from her Instagram, including her proposal video. Her teammates and close friends, including Jemimah Rodrigues, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav, also removed or unfollowed related content, fueling speculation among fans. Mandhana’s older casual posts featuring Palash remain unaffected.Family statements highlight emotional tollPalash’s sister, singer Palak Muchhal, requested privacy for the families during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Palash’s mother, Amita Muchhal, revealed the depth of her son’s bond with Mandhana’s father. “Palash is extremely attached to Smriti’s father, even more than Smriti herself. When he fell ill, Palash immediately insisted that the wedding be postponed until he recovered,” she explained. Amita also described Palash’s brief hospitalisation, where he received an IV drip, ECG, and other tests after stress took a toll on his health.No rescheduled date yetAs of now, neither Smriti Mandhana nor Palash Muchhal has confirmed a new wedding date. Both families remain focused on Shrinivas Mandhana’s recovery and the couple’s emotional well-being.
