Jemimah Rodrigues posted a cryptic yet emotionally loaded Instagram story featuring a group of singers performing Olivia Dean’s Man I Need. (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: India women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana on Sunday officially confirmed that her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal has been called off — but amid the emotional turbulence, one person stood by her more closely than anyone else: teammate and close friend Jemimah Rodrigues.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!After weeks of speculation, online theories and fragmented reports, Mandhana finally addressed the situation publicly through an Instagram post.

The couple was set to tie the knot on November 23, but the ceremony was first postponed after Mandhana’s father, Srinivas, suffered a sudden medical emergency. Reports later emerged suggesting Palash Muchhal, too, had been hospitalised due to stress, further fuelling speculation.With rumours spiralling, Mandhana broke her silence. “Over the past few weeks there has been plenty of speculation around my life and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time,” she wrote. Calling herself a “very private person”, she shared that the situation had reached a point where silence was no longer an option.In her post, she made the announcement clear and definitive: “I need to clarify that the wedding is called off. I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same.” She also urged: “Respect the privacy of both families and allow them the space to process and move on.”Through it all, Jemimah has quietly become the emotional anchor in Mandhana’s story. When the wedding was initially postponed, Jemimah left her Women’s Big Bash League campaign in Australia midway to fly back home and be by Mandhana’s side. And now, with the breakup confirmed, she once again signalled support — not with words, but with music.On Sunday, Jemimah posted a cryptic yet emotionally loaded Instagram story featuring a group of singers performing Olivia Dean’s Man I Need. The lyrics — “Looks like we’re making up for lost time. Need you to spell it out for me” — immediately caught attention.

Despite the heartbreak, Mandhana made her priorities clear: cricket remains her grounding force. “I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all and for me that has always been representing my country at the highest level. I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible,” she wrote.She ended her note with quiet resolve: “Thank you for all your support. It’s time to move forward.”