Congratulations are in order for former India opener Shikhar Dhawan and his longtime girlfriend Sophie Shine, as the duo got engaged on Monday, January 12. A delighted Shikhar took to Instagram to share a beautiful picture from their engagement ceremony, in which Sophie is seen flaunting her stunning diamond ring.
Sophie captioned the photo with her fiancé, Shikhar, and wrote, "My love," along with a heart emoji.
Sharing the happy news on social media, Shikhar wrote, "From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, the blessings and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever. ❤️ — Shikhar & Sophie."
Soon after the announcement, netizens and cricket fans flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages for the couple.
It was earlier reported that Shikhar and Sophie are set to tie the knot in a grand wedding ceremony in February 2026. With the engagement pictures now out, fans are eagerly awaiting the couple's big, fat wedding celebrations.
Relationship timeline of Shikar and his traumatic divorce that shattered him
Sophie and Shikhar's love story
The couple reportedly met for the first time at a restaurant in Dubai. Rumours about their relationship began circulating when Sophie was spotted at Punjab Kings matches in 2024 and later at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, the two chose to keep their relationship private for a long time.
In June 2025, Sophie officially confirmed their relationship on social media. Since then, the couple has shared glimpses of their life together through fun reels and heartwarming posts.
Following Shikhar's retirement from international cricket in August 2024, Sophie has been a strong source of support, especially after his divorce from Ayesha Mukherjee.
Shikhar Dhawan's divorce
Shikhar Dhawan was earlier married to Ayesha Mukherjee, with whom he shares an 11-year-old son, Zoravar Dhawan. The former couple separated in 2023.
Dhawan's divorce was granted by a Delhi court in October 2023 on the grounds of mental cruelty. The court reportedly observed that he suffered mental agony due to prolonged separation from his son and Ayesha's failure to honour her commitment to live in India.
Who is Sophie Shine?
According to reports, Sophie Shine is an Irish product consultant with a strong professional background. A graduate of the Limerick Institute of Technology, she holds a degree in Marketing and Management after completing her schooling at Castleroy College.
She has also worked as Second Vice President at Northern Trust Corporation in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Sophie plays a key role in Shikhar's professional life, serving as the COO of Da One Sports and heading the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, where she leads several charitable initiatives impacting thousands of lives.
