Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced his engagement to girlfriend Sophie Shine, sharing the news through a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday, January 12, 2026. The announcement marks a new chapter in Dhawan’s personal life, following a challenging period since his divorce in 2023.
Shikhar and Sophie made their relationship public in May 2025, when Sophie shared a photo of the couple on Instagram captioned “My love” with a heart emoji. The post put an end to months of speculation surrounding Dhawan’s personal life and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Earlier in 2026, the couple were spotted together at a Champions Trophy match in Dubai, and they also attended a media conclave where Dhawan hinted that he had found love again. Sophie was also seen frequently supporting Punjab Kings during Dhawan’s time with the franchise in the Indian Premier League.
Announcing their engagement, Dhawan 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 Dhawan’s Engagement Announcement
Shikhar Dhawan officially confirmed his engagement to Sophie Shine through Instagram, drawing widespread attention from fans, fellow cricketers, and media outlets. The announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulatory messages, reflecting the popularity and goodwill Dhawan enjoys even after retiring from international cricket.
The couple’s relationship became public only last year, but their frequent appearances together and Sophie’s presence at Dhawan’s matches had already sparked curiosity among fans. Reports suggest that the couple is set to tie the knot in February 2026.
Who Is Sophie Shine?
Sophie Shine is an Irish product consultant currently based in the UAE. According to her LinkedIn profile, she works as Second Vice President – Product Consultant at Northern Trust Corporation, a US-based financial services firm.
Sophie came into the public spotlight after her relationship with Dhawan became official in 2025. Since then, she has often appeared in the light-hearted and humorous videos that Dhawan shares on his Instagram profile, quickly becoming a familiar face among his followers.
Sophie Shine’s Education and Career
Sophie Shine holds a qualification in Marketing and Management from the Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland. She completed her earlier education at Castleroy College, also located in Ireland.
Professionally, Sophie has built a strong corporate career in the financial services sector. She is currently associated with Northern Trust Corporation, where she works in a senior product consulting role. Reports indicate that Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie first met in the UAE, where she is presently based.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Personal Journey After Divorce
In October 2023, Shikhar Dhawan officially separated from his estranged wife Aesha Mukherjee, ending their 11-year marriage. The former India opener had married Aesha in 2011, and the couple has a son, Zoravar.
In February 2025, Dhawan spoke openly about the emotional toll the divorce took on him, revealing that he had not seen his son for a long time and had lost contact with him. While granting the divorce, a Delhi court observed that Dhawan had suffered mental trauma and noted that he had been kept away from his child for several years.
Despite these observations, Dhawan was not awarded permanent custody of his son. The court allowed visitation rights and approved video calls for a reasonable duration in both India and Australia. Dhawan later stated that he was eventually blocked from all forms of virtual communication with his son.
FAQs
Q. When did Shikhar Dhawan announce his engagement?
A. Shikhar Dhawan announced his engagement to Sophie Shine on January 12, 2026, via Instagram.
Q. Who is Sophie Shine?
A. Sophie Shine is an Irish product consultant working as Second Vice President – Product Consultant at Northern Trust Corporation.
Q. When did Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine make their relationship public?
A. The couple made their relationship public in May 2025.
Q. Where did Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine meet?
A. Reports suggest that they met in the UAE, where Sophie is currently based.
Q. When are Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine getting married?
A. According to reports, the couple is expected to get married in February 2026.
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