former indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan Has started a new chapter in his life by marrying his Irish girlfriend Sophie Shine In an intimate wedding ceremony in the Delhi NCR region on Saturday, February 21. The couple’s heartwarming pictures have taken social media by storm, with fans and celebrities alike blessing the newlyweds.
‘Mister. and Mrs. Dhawan’: Official announcement
The 40-year-old former opening batsman made the official announcement through a romantic Instagram post, sharing glimpses of their special day with the simple yet elegant caption, “Mr. and Mrs. Dhawan” . The photos captured the couple’s unbridled happiness – dancing together in celebration, sharing intimate moments, and participating in traditional wedding rituals, including the solemn moment of Dhawan applying vermillion on Sophie’s forehead.
Both looked very beautiful in designer Manish Malhotra’s outfits. Dhawan opted for a sophisticated white-on-white sherwani with delicate tonal embroidery, paired with a layered emerald necklace that created a striking contrast against the ivory fabric. A classic white turban with a bejeweled kalagi completed his royal Maharaja-inspired aesthetic.
Meanwhile, Sophie broke with tradition and opted for an ivory lehenga instead of the classic red, reflecting the growing popularity of pastel bridal palettes in modern Indian weddings. Her outfit featured soft coral, peach and green floral motifs on an ivory silk base, creating a romantic “blooming garden” effect. The high-neck blouse with cascading pearl threads doubled as jewellery, showcasing a fashion trend where garment details replaced heavy accessories.
Who is Sophie Shine? The Irish woman who won Shikhar Dhawan’s heart
Sophie Shine is an Irish-born professional who currently serves as the Second Vice President at Northern Trust Corporation in Abu Dhabi. He has a degree in Marketing and Management from Lumbric Institute of Technology and has built an impressive corporate career.
Beyond her corporate role, Sophie is also the Chief Operating Officer of Da One Sports, Dhawan’s sports education initiative focused on grassroots training, and heads the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation. The couple reportedly first met in Dubai several years ago and since then Sophie has been a constant presence in Dhawan’s life.
Their relationship became public in May 2025 when Dhawan confirmed it with a social media post titled “My Love” along with a red heart emoji. They announced their engagement on January 12, 2026, with a dreamy photo and a heartfelt caption that read: “From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, blessings and every good wish for our engagement as we choose to be together forever.”
The pair have made a strong hold on social media, with their light-hearted and humorous reels being widely appreciated by fans.
Dhawan’s pre- and post-wedding festivities: Sangeet, haldi and reception
Before the wedding, the couple celebrated a traditional pre-wedding ceremony. Dhawan shared pictures from his sangeet night on Instagram with the caption “Music Night, Almost Dhawan,” Hinting towards their impending marriage. She wore a white Indo-Western ensemble while Sophie glowed in a golden lehenga.
Sophie also gave fans a glimpse of the Haldi ceremony, posting pictures that showed the couple smeared with turmeric paste, embracing the pre-wedding ritual with joy and excitement.
Dhawan’s post-wedding celebrations, the reception, turned into a star-studded affair in the presence of many well-known faces of Indian cricket. Former teammate of India Rohit SharmaSuresh Raina, Irfan Pathan and Yuzvendra Chahal were among those who joined the celebrations, adding to the warmth and camaraderie of the evening.
The occasion was further enhanced by the presence of BCCI officials, who also came to bless the couple and be a part of the special moment.
Attended cricketer Shikhar Dhawan’s wedding. I wish them a happy married life.@SDhawan25 @ImRo45 @irfanpathan pic.twitter.com/P3qHe2a9fe
– Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) 21 February 2026
A new chapter in Shikhar’s life after previous heartbreak
This is Shikhar’s second marriage. His first marriage was to Ayesha Mukherjee, with whom he has a son named Zorawar. The couple separated in October 2023 after eight years of marriage, with the Delhi Family Court granting a divorce decree to Dhawan.
Dhawan had earlier spoken openly about the emotional pain of separation from his son. While talking to ANI he said, “It’s been two years since I’ve seen my son. It’s been a year since we talked. Because I’ve been blocked from everywhere. Of course, it’s hard. But… you learn to live with it and I miss him.”
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