Mumbai: Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has entered a new chapter in his personal life. The star opener is now engaged to his longtime girlfriend Sophie Shine. On January 12, 2026, the couple announced the good news together, in a joint post on social media, and immediately won hearts on the Internet.
Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie, who have been dating for over a year, shared a close up photo of their hands, proudly showing off the diamond ring. The picture also revealed a beautifully planned setup with candles and a large heart made of red roses, setting the tone for what they called the beginning of their forever.
In their caption, the couple wrote about shared smiles, shared dreams, and choosing togetherness for life, while thanking everyone for their love and blessings.
Wedding Plans and Love Story
The engagement news follows the news that Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine are supposed to marry in February 2026. As previous news reports, the wedding can be held in the third week of February and can be held in the Delhi NCR. It is likely a star studded event, as Dhawan is deeply involved in both sports and social circles.
Shikhar and Sophie first made their relationship public on May 1 last year. Sophie had shared a picture with Dhawan captioned “My love,” ending months of speculation about his personal life. Since then, the couple has been spotted together on several occasions, including cricket matches in Dubai and public events. Dhawan had also hinted at finding love again during a media conclave.
Besides the personal relationship, the two are also in the same line of business and co-run the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, the NGO of the former cricketer.
Who Is Sophie Shine
Sophie Shine is an Irish product consultant who is the Second Vice President Product Consultant at Northern Trust Corporation, a financial services company headquartered in the US. She is presently based in the UAE, where reports suggest she met Shikhar Dhawan.
She holds a degree in Marketing and Management at the Limerick Inst of Technology and attended Castleroy College in Ireland. Sophie is also a familiar face on Dhawan’s Instagram, often appearing in his light hearted and humorous videos.
A New Beginning After a Difficult Phase
Dhawan’s engagement marks a fresh start after a challenging period in his life. He officially separated from his estranged wife Aesha Mukherjee in October 2023, ending their 11 year marriage. The couple shares a son, Zoravar. In divorce, a court in Delhi observed that Dhawan had been mentally traumatized and allowed him to visit and have video calls with him, but did not award full custody.
In early 2025, Dhawan had spoken openly about the emotional pain of being away from his son and losing contact over time.
At present, when he is engaged to Sophie Shine, Shikhar Dhawan seems prepared to adopt a more joyful stage. As congratulatory messages continue to pour in, fans eagerly await official details of the wedding festivities expected next month.
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