Smriti Mandhana makes first appearance after calling off wedding with Palash Muchhal: Don't think I love...

Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has made her first public statement since calling off her highly anticipated wedding, underscoring her unwavering devotion to the sport that has defined her life and career. Speaking at the Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi, the India Women’s team vice-captain delivered a candid message about passion, purpose and professional focus amid personal upheaval.

“I don’t think I love anything more than cricket,” Mandhana said in her first comments since the engagement was officially cancelled. “Wearing that Indian jersey is the motivation that drives us. You keep all your problems aside, and that thought alone helps you focus on life.”

The top-order batter’s declaration, made with calm determination, resonated with fans and the wider cricketing community. It came days after Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal announced that their planned wedding would no longer take place, a decision both families requested privacy for when it was shared on social media earlier this month.

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Palash Muchhal, in his post, wrote he has chosen to “move on” from the relationship and asked people to stop spreading baseless gossip.

In his statement,  Muchhal addressed swirling rumours that his wedding was cancelled because of alleged infidelity. He described these rumours as deeply hurtful and entirely “baseless and defamatory.” He warned that his team will take strict legal action against anyone spreading false information. He also deleted the proposal video soon after.

Mandhana also shared her statement around the same time and wrote, “I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all and for me that has always been representing my country at the highest level. I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible and that is where my focus will forever be. Thank you for all your support. It’s time to move forward.”

Mandhana and Muchhal were set to tie the knot in the former’s home town of Sangli in Maharashtra on 23 November, with  Jemimah Rodrigues and other India teammates among those in attendance. The wedding, however, had to be put on hold after Mandhana’s father Shrinivas was reportedly rushed to a hospital due to a health scare.

Mandhana’s appearance at the summit marked her first public outing since the news broke, and she opted to centre her remarks around the game she has excelled at for more than a decade. Having debuted in 2013, she was instrumental in India’s triumphant campaign at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, finishing as one of the team’s leading run-scorers and helping India clinch the title for the first time.