Smriti Mandhana’s first post after wedding postponement draws attention to engagement ring absence

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the women’s team, returned to social media almost two weeks after postponing her wedding to singer-composer Palash Muchhal, originally scheduled for November 23. Her first post since the delay drew attention not just for her presence but for one notable detail: her engagement ring was missing.

Smriti shared a video on Instagram in a paid partnership with toothpaste brand Colgate on Friday. In the video, she discussed her cricketing career and experiences as a World Cup winner. While fans welcomed her return online, many focused on the fact that she appeared without her engagement ring, sparking curiosity about the timing of the shoot.

One fan commented, “Why does it feel like she is sad? She is smiling, but her voice and her eyes look sad, and she is not wearing her engagement ring.” On social media, another wrote, “The smile is back (evil eye, puppy eyes, and heart emojis) and the ring is gone.”

However, several fans speculated that the video may have been recorded before the wedding. “Look at her hands, there’s no mehendi colour on them, which means this was before the engagement,” one fan noted. Another added, “Are ye shadi k pahle hi shoot hua h i think proposal k pahle bhi jab ye Mumbai me hi thi (This could’ve been shot before he even proposed).” Many fans were simply happy to see her back online and shared supportive messages. Palash Muchhal has not yet made a public post.

The wedding was postponed after Smriti’s father, Srinivas, was admitted to hospital in their hometown Sangli. Palash also fell ill the following day and was hospitalized. Both have since been discharged, but the families have not confirmed a new wedding date.

In the meantime, speculation about the postponement grew, intensified by the removal of wedding-related posts from Smriti’s social media. Both families have stated that they hope to announce a new date soon. Fans continue to watch the couple’s updates closely as they navigate this pause in their wedding plans.