Smriti Mandhana’s Wedding Postponed After Father’s Heart Attack and Fiancé’s Hospitalization

When Smriti Mandhana was preparing to walk down the aisle to marry music composer Palash Muchhal, life threw a devastating curveball — not once, but twice. First, her father, Shrinivas Mandhana, 62, collapsed with a suspected heart attack in Sangli, Maharashtra on November 23, 2025. Then, just 24 hours later, Muchhal was rushed to a Mumbai hospital with a severe viral infection and acute gastric distress. The wedding, scheduled for November 25 at the ISKCON Temple grounds in Sangli, was called off — indefinitely. No date. No ceremony. Just silence where there was once music, laughter, and glittering sarees.

Family Crisis Unfolds in Rapid Succession

The pre-wedding festivities had been in full swing. A vibrant sangeet on November 21, followed by a haldi ceremony on the 22nd, were shared widely on Mandhana’s Instagram, where she has 3.2 million followers. But by November 24, every post was gone. Deleted. As if they never happened. That same day, Shrinivas Mandhana was admitted to a private hospital in Sangli with chest pain, shortness of breath, and blood pressure readings of 195/110 mmHg. His troponin levels — a key marker for heart damage — were 12.7 ng/mL, more than 300 times the normal range. Dr. Naman Shah, the family’s cardiologist, confirmed the diagnosis: acute myocardial injury. "He’s lucky to be alive," Shah told reporters at 3 PM on the 24th. "This isn’t just a heart attack. It’s a warning. He needs 72 hours of monitoring, minimum." Then came the second blow. At 9:20 AM IST, Palash Muchhal, 35, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai with vomiting, dehydration, and a high fever. NewsX reported he’d been battling a viral infection worsened by stress and late-night festive eating. He was discharged by 6:45 PM — but not recovered. "He’s stable," a hospital source said. "But he’s not well. And neither is his family."

Wedding Plans Collapsed Overnight

The wedding was more than a celebration. It was a major cultural event, with ₹2.5 crore (about $300,000 USD) spent on logistics. The venue, the ISKCON Temple grounds, had been booked for weeks. Catering by Feast & Fête was valued at ₹7.5 lakh. Designer Anita Dongre had crafted a custom ₹12 lakh lehenga. All of it — canceled. The event planner, Shaadi Squad India, confirmed the cancellation. Refunds are being processed through WedLock Events, affecting 487 guests — including 56 international attendees from cricket boards in Australia, England, and New Zealand.

"Smriti is very clear—she wants her father to be okay first," said Tuhin Mishra, Mandhana’s manager, in a statement released at 1:30 PM on November 24. "We request privacy during this time."

Cricket and Culture Collide

Smriti Mandhana isn’t just a cricketer. She’s a national icon. Captain of the Indian women’s team, ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2018, and one of the most visible faces of women’s sports in India. Her wedding was seen as a milestone — a blending of sport and art, tradition and modernity. Now, the spotlight has shifted entirely to health. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) granted her indefinite leave from all duties, including preparations for the Women’s Premier League 2026. Rajeev Shukla, BCCI vice-president, confirmed the decision at 2:15 PM on the 24th. "Her priority is family. We support her completely."

What Experts Are Saying

Dr. Devi Shetty, founder of Narayana Health, weighed in on the medical gravity: "Shrinivas Mandhana’s enzyme levels suggest significant heart muscle stress. Even if he recovers quickly, he’ll need lifelong cardiac monitoring. Stress, diet, genetics — all played a role. And in this case, the stress came from a wedding." He added that Muchhal’s condition, while less severe, was a classic case of "pre-wedding burnout" — a phenomenon rarely discussed but increasingly common in high-profile Indian unions. The irony? The wedding was meant to be a celebration of love. Instead, it became a stark reminder of how fragile health can be — especially under pressure. "People think weddings are about grandeur," said a Mumbai-based event planner who wished to remain anonymous. "But behind the scenes? It’s sleepless nights, emotional exhaustion, and financial strain. Sometimes, the real wedding is surviving it."

What’s Next?

There is no rescheduled date. No tentative timeline. The Mandhana family has made it clear: recovery comes first. Shrinivas Mandhana is expected to remain hospitalized for five to seven days under Dr. Naman Shah’s care. Muchhal is resting at home in Mumbai, advised to avoid stress and heavy meals. Mandhana has not made any public appearances since the news broke. Her social media remains silent. The wedding dress? Still in a box. The invitations? Pulled. The cake? Never ordered. The world watches. But for now, the only thing that matters is a father’s heartbeat — and whether it keeps steady.