Smriti Mandhana Postpones Wedding After Father’s Heart Attack Amid Wedding Preparations

When Smriti Mandhana walked away from her own wedding ceremony on Sunday, November 23, 2025, it wasn’t because of cold feet — it was because her father’s heart had stopped beating normally. At 1:30 pm IST, Srinivas Mandhana, 58, collapsed at the family farmhouse in Samdol, Sangli, Maharashtra, just hours before his daughter’s long-planned marriage to music composer Palash Muchhal. The wedding, set for that very day, had already begun: garlands hung, guests arrived, and the scent of jalebi and rosewater filled the air. But when Srinivas clutched his chest during breakfast, everything changed.

A Father’s Sudden Collapse

It started with a sharp, left-sided pain — classic angina, according to Dr. Naman Shah, the family physician. Srinivas, a quiet but fiercely supportive businessman who runs Mandhana Café in Sangli, had been laughing with relatives over masala chai when the discomfort hit. His son called Dr. Shah immediately. By 1:45 pm, an ambulance was en route to Sarvhit Hospital. Tests revealed elevated cardiac enzymes — a clear sign of heart muscle stress. He wasn’t having a full heart attack yet, but he was dangerously close.

"We waited. We hoped," said Tuhin Mishra, Mandhana’s manager. "But when the pain didn’t ease, we knew — this wasn’t a stomach upset. This was life or death."

"My Father Comes First"

Smriti Mandhana, 28, had spent months planning the wedding. The proposal — captured in a viral Instagram video at DY Patil Stadium after India’s 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup win — had been a moment of pure joy. Palash Muchhal, known for his soulful compositions in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Mimi, had serenaded her with an original song between overs. Fans cheered. Celebrities liked. It felt like destiny.

But destiny, as it often does, had other plans. When news broke that her father was in critical condition, Smriti didn’t hesitate. She removed her lehenga, kissed her mother’s forehead, and walked straight to the hospital. "She’s always been her father’s shadow," said a close friend. "He drove her to training at 5 a.m. when she was 12. He missed no match. Not even when she played in Australia."

Complications Multiply

Just as the family focused on Srinivas, another blow landed. By Monday, Palash Muchhal was admitted to a separate Sangli hospital with severe viral infection and acute acidity — likely stress-induced. "He was already emotionally drained," said a hospital source. "The pressure, the sudden shift from wedding joy to fear — it took a physical toll."

Now, two people central to Smriti’s life are in hospital beds, 500 meters apart, but worlds away from the celebration they’d imagined. Around 200 guests — including former Indian cricketers, Bollywood producers, and local dignitaries — were stranded in Sangli. Some left. Others waited, unsure what to do.

Why This Matters Beyond the Spotlight

Smriti Mandhana isn’t just a cricketer. She’s the face of a generation of Indian women athletes who’ve fought for recognition, funding, and respect. She scored 434 runs in nine matches during India’s historic 2025 World Cup campaign — the highest by any Indian woman in a single ODI World Cup. Her leadership under Harmanpreet Kaur turned heads worldwide.

But behind the bat and the helmet, she’s a daughter. And in a culture where family is everything — especially in smaller towns like Sangli — her choice to walk away from her wedding wasn’t just emotional. It was cultural. It was moral. It was human.

"No trophy, no applause, no viral moment is worth more than a father’s life," said cricket analyst Shivani Gupta in a recent interview. "This moment tells us more about her character than any century ever could."

What Happens Next?

There’s no timeline for Srinivas Mandhana’s recovery. The medical team at Sarvhit Hospital says his cardiac enzymes must normalize, his blood pressure must stabilize, and he must show no further signs of ischemia before he’s discharged. He’s on strict bed rest. No visitors except immediate family.

Smriti remains by his side. Palash, though recovering, is not yet cleared to visit. The wedding? Indefinitely postponed. No new date has been set. "We’re not thinking about dates," Mishra told NDTV. "We’re thinking about breaths."

The Café That Raised a Champion

Srinivas Mandhana’s Mandhana Café isn’t just a business. It’s a monument. On the wall hangs a photo of Smriti at 14, holding a bat, with a note in her father’s handwriting: "My girl. Future captain."

Customers still come for the vada pav and kanda bhaji, but now they also come to leave messages. Cards. Flowers. A few even brought cricket balls signed by Indian team members. "We don’t know her," said one regular, "but we know what a good father looks like."

It’s quiet in Sangli now. The wedding lights are off. The music is silent. But in a hospital room, a father’s heartbeat — slow, steady, hopeful — is the only song that matters.