Shikhar Dhawan announces engagement to Sophie Shine, shares emotional note on Instagram

Shikhar Dhawan announces engagement

Shikhar Dhawan shared a picture with Sophie on Instagram, accompanied by a message reflecting gratitude and commitment. “From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, the blessings and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever,” he wrote.

The post quickly gained traction online, with congratulatory messages pouring in from fans and members of the cricket fraternity. While Dhawan kept the announcement understated, the words conveyed a sense of stability and reassurance after a turbulent phase in his personal life.

Sophie also shared the moment on social media, posting a picture of the couple and captioning it simply as “My love,” accompanied by a heart emoji. That post became the couple’s first public acknowledgment of their relationship and effectively put an end to ongoing speculation.

The engagement news follows several public appearances together over the past year, including at international cricket matches and industry events, where Dhawan had hinted that he had found happiness again.

Their dating phase away from the spotlight

Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine reportedly met for the first time in Dubai, where Sophie is currently based. Their relationship began quietly, away from public scrutiny, even as Dhawan continued to remain a visible figure in cricket and media circles.

Rumours around their relationship first gained momentum when Sophie was spotted supporting Dhawan during his stint with the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. She was also seen accompanying him at the ICC Champions Trophy, further fuelling speculation.

Despite the attention, the couple chose not to address the rumours immediately. It was only in mid 2025 that Sophie confirmed their relationship through a social media post, signalling that they were ready to share parts of their journey publicly.

Since then, Sophie has appeared regularly in Dhawan’s Instagram content, often featuring in light hearted videos and candid moments. Those close to Dhawan have noted that the relationship has brought a visible sense of calm to his life, especially following his retirement from international cricket in August 2024.

Who is Sophie Shine?

Sophie Shine is an Irish professional currently working in the financial services sector. According to her LinkedIn profile, she serves as Second Vice President Product Consultant at Northern Trust Corporation, a US based financial services firm.

She holds a degree in Marketing and Management from the Limerick Institute of Technology and completed her schooling at Castleroy College in Ireland. Professionally, she has maintained a low profile despite the public interest surrounding her relationship with Dhawan.

Friends describe Sophie as grounded and supportive, qualities that reportedly helped Dhawan navigate a challenging period following his divorce from Aesha Mukherjee. Dhawan and Aesha officially separated in October 2023, ending their 11 year marriage.