NEW DELHI: Indian women’s team batter Smriti Mandhana had announced on Sunday that her wedding had been called off and asked fans and the media to stop speculation. Music composer Palash Muchhal later confirmed that he had “decided to move on” and warned of legal action against those spreading rumours.Mandhana issued her first public statement on social media after speculation around her personal life grew over the past month. She was scheduled to marry Muchhal on November 23, but the wedding was postponed after her father, Shriniwas, was hospitalised with a heart ailment.
“I need to clarify that the wedding is called off. I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same,” Mandhana wrote.“Over the past few weeks there has been plenty of speculation around my life and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time,” she said in an Instagram post.Calling herself a “very private person”, Mandhana said she felt the need to clarify matters publicly. She added that her attention remained on cricket as India prepare for the upcoming international season.“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,” she said.Soon after Mandhana’s post, Muchhal shared his own statement, saying he had “decided to move on” and expressing distress over online speculation.“I have decided to move on in my life and step back from my personal relationship. It’s been very difficult for me to see people react so easily on baseless rumours about something which has been most sacred to me.“It’s the most difficult phase of my life and I will deal with it gracefully holding on to my beliefs,” he wrote.
Smriti updates Insta bio
As of Tuesday, Mandhana updated her Instagram bio and removed the evil eye emoji. The change has led to renewed discussion on social media, as fans tried to read meaning into the update.After the wedding was postponed, both Mandhana and Muchhal had added the evil eye emoji to their Instagram bios. Muchhal, however, has not removed the emoji from his profile.
