former indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan Have started a beautiful new chapter by marrying your longtime partner Sophie Shine In an intimate ceremony in Delhi NCR on Saturday, February 21, 2026. As the couple’s dreamy wedding pictures are taking social media by storm, here’s all you need to know about the Irish beauty who captured the heart of the man fondly called ‘Gabbar’.
Few people know facts about Sophie Shine
Sophie Shine is an Irish finance and product management professional who came into the public spotlight after her engagement and subsequent marriage to Shikhar Dhawan. Unlike many of the cricketers’ colleagues who come from an entertainment or modeling background, Sophie is a distinguished corporate leader with an impressive international career
Born in June 1990 in Limerick, Ireland, Sophie is currently 35 years old. She holds Irish nationality and has built a stellar reputation in global finance and consulting.
Education: Strong academic base
Sophie completed her schooling at Castletroy College in Limerick, a renowned educational institution in the region. He received higher education at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), now part of Shannon University of Technology, where he earned a degree in Marketing and Management.
His educational background in business and marketing laid a strong foundation for his later success in the corporate world.
professional career
Sophie has built an illustrious career spanning continents and regions. She began her professional journey in Ireland’s financial services sector in March 2018 as a Customer Service Representative at Northern Trust Corporation.
Major business roles: :
Sophie served as Second Vice President – Product Advisor at Northern Trust Corporation in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading financial services institutions. In this role, he handled product management, customer strategy and financial services consulting for key clients.
In March 2025, Sophie stepped into the sports and philanthropy sector and took up the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Dhawan’s group Da One Sports. The move brought him closer to Dhawan’s business ventures and philanthropic initiatives.
Sophie also currently heads the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, the non-profit philanthropic arm of The One Group, playing a key role in initiatives impacting education, health and community development.
Relationship with Shikhar Dhawan: A modern love story
Sophie and Shikhar first met in a restaurant in Dubai, where their friendship gradually turned into a romantic relationship. In a candid revelation, Sophie shared that it was Dhawan’s “naughty eyes” that attracted her to him.
relationship timeline
2023: The couple reportedly started dating after their initial meeting in Dubai.
2024: Sophie was first seen cheering for Dhawan during Punjab Kings’ IPL matches, sparking speculations.
2025: The two were seen together at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, further fueling the rumours.
Sophie officially confirmed their relationship with an emotional post on Instagram titled “My Love”.
January 12, 2026: The couple announced their engagement through a dreamy Instagram post. Their engagement announcement 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.”
February 21, 2026: Shikhar and Sophie got married in a private ceremony.
Life and social media presence in India
Sophie has adapted to life in India, frequently traveling between Abu Dhabi, where she maintains her corporate base, and Delhi NCR, where she now has a significant presence. With around 380,000 followers on Instagram, he has amassed a considerable following on social media.
Over the past months, Sophie has regularly shared glimpses of her life with Shikhar, including fun reels and photos that show off their chemistry and shared sense of humor.
Also read: Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine enjoying a peaceful holiday in Ireland