Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana found herself back in online conversations following her stellar performance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, after her mother briefly reposted a meme related to Mandhana’s former partner, music composer Palash Muchhal.
The post, shared and later deleted by Smriti’s mother Smita Mandhana, quickly caught the attention of social media users and went viral before being taken down.
Meme goes viral after WPL win
Earlier this week, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) created history by clinching their second WPL title. Smriti Mandhana played a key role in the final, earning the Player of the Match award as RCB secured a six-wicket victory.
Following the win, a meme circulated online showing Palash Muchhal wearing a Delhi Capitals jersey. The caption humorously referenced Smriti’s on-field dominance during the match, with netizens adding playful commentary.
The meme appears to have been noticed by Smriti’s mother, who reposted it on Instagram. Screenshots of the repost quickly spread across social platforms, sparking widespread discussion. The post was later deleted without any public clarification.
Background: Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal had been in a relationship for several years and were reportedly set to marry in Sangli, Maharashtra, in November last year. On the scheduled wedding day, both families announced that the ceremony had been postponed due to health-related issues involving family members.
Soon after, the couple confirmed that the wedding had been called off. While speculation circulated online regarding the reasons behind the split, neither Smriti nor Palash publicly addressed specific claims.
In a statement shared at the time, Smriti Mandhana urged for privacy, requesting the public to allow both families the space to move forward.
“I would like to close this matter here and request everyone to respect the privacy of both families and allow us time to process and move on,” an excerpt from her statement read.
Legal developments
Last month, Palash Muchhal reportedly initiated legal action against a Sangli-based actor-producer over public allegations made against him. The matter is said to be under legal consideration.
Focus remains on cricket
Despite renewed online chatter, Smriti Mandhana continues to remain focused on her cricketing career. Her WPL 2026 performance has been widely praised, reinforcing her position as one of Indian women’s cricket’s most consistent and influential players.
