Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan recently announced that he is engaged to be married to Sophie Shine. This was revealed in an Instagram post made by the couple featuring a picture of both couples’ engagement rings, accompanied by candles and a heart-shaped rose arrangement; the caption reads: “From shared smiles to shared dreams.
Grateful for the love, the blessings and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever.” For Dhawan, who’s 40 years old and officially retired from cricket in August 2024, this marks a fresh start after a painful divorce in 2023.
But who exactly is the woman who captured the cricketer’s heart? Sophie Shine isn’t from the world of cricket or Bollywood. She’s an Irish professional with a corporate background, currently based in Abu Dhabi.
And their love story? It started quietly in Dubai, grew through cricket matches and public appearances, and now they’re planning a February 2026 wedding in Delhi.
Who is Sophie Shine?
Sophie Shine was born in June 1990 in Limerick, Ireland. She’s 35 years old as of 2026. She grew up in Limerick, a city in Ireland, and spent her early years in what’s described as a close-knit community. Her upbringing encouraged education and professionalism, setting the stage for her later career achievements.
Sophie completed her early education at Castletroy College in Limerick. After finishing school, she pursued higher studies at the Limerick Institute of Technology, where she earned both a diploma in Marketing and Management in 2014 and a degree in the same field in 2015.
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How did her career evolve from Product Consulting to the C-Suite?
After graduating in 2015, Sophie started her career in Ireland, likely with internships or entry-level marketing roles. Between 2016 and 2021, she worked in marketing departments of private firms, climbing the ladder and honing her skills in brand positioning, customer strategy, and client communication.
She made a significant step in 2022, moving to Abu Dhabi to work for Northern Trust Corporation, a U.S.-based financial services corporation, as a Product Consultant. In her time with the firm, she was promoted to Second Vice President.
But Sophie’s career took an interesting turn when she became involved with Shikhar Dhawan’s business ventures. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Da One Group, the conglomerate founded by Dhawan.
Da One Group encompasses three verticals: the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation (philanthropy), Da One Sports (sports management), and Yashaa (celebrity investments). This role shows how Sophie has transitioned from the financial services world into sports philanthropy and business management.
How is Sophie involved with the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation?
Sophie currently oversees the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation as the head of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, which is the charitable division of Da One Group. On LinkedIn in November 2025, Sophie reflected upon the path that she has traveled while leading the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, and shared some of the initiatives, such as Digital Shiksha (the project connects people who are digitally disadvantaged to accessible educational resources), and Livelihood on Wheels (it provides community-based, sustainable economic opportunities).
She also shared some of her lessons: “Empathy fosters innovation”, “Collaboration fosters scale”, and “Patiently sustained change takes time”. Her role as a Director is more than having an honorary title; she is proactively leading several initiatives that connect social impact to action.
How did Sophie Shine and Shikhar Dhawan meet and develop their relationship?
The couple first met a few years ago at a restaurant in Dubai. In a podcast appearance in June 2025, Dhawan recalled details of that first meeting, specifically remembering Sophie’s outfit: “Sophie was wearing camouflage trousers and a jacket. She looked very beautiful.” What started as an initial friendship gradually turned into something more romantic.
When did they go public with their relationship on social media?
On May 1, 2025, the couple revealed that they were dating by posting an Instagram post together. The post included the caption “My love”, with a heart emoji, which made it the first time they publicly acknowledged their relationship and ended the months of rumors surrounding Dhawan’s personal life.
Before that official confirmation, Dhawan had dropped hints at a Times Now Conclave in March 2025, telling the anchor, “I will not take any names. But the most beautiful girl in the room is my girlfriend. Now you can figure it out.”
What major events and appearances signaled their relationship to fans?
The first public appearance of Sophie and Dhawan was at the Punjab Kings IPL games in 2024, when they were seen supporting him. During the 2024 IPL Season, Dhawan was captain of the Punjab Kings, and Sophie was a regular spectator at each game.
Next was the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, where they were photographed together watching Team India at the tournament. This appearance fueled speculation about whether they had started dating; fans and followers of both on social media asked such questions as “Who is she?” After the tournament, it was reported that they appeared together at a media event, which furthered speculation about whether they are dating or have an interest in one another.
When did major milestones occur in their love story?
Rumors about their romance first surfaced back in February 2025. Sophie was seen sitting next to Dhawan during the Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, and fans couldn’t help but wonder who she was. Pictures of the pair made the rounds online almost instantly.
Interestingly, a few observant fans think Sophie might have already been wearing an engagement ring around Valentine’s Day that year, but the couple hasn’t said anything about it publicly.
When did they officially confirm the relationship to the public?
Sophie put the speculation to rest on May 1, 2025, when she posted a photo of them together on Instagram with just two words: “My ❤️.” For fans who had been following Dhawan through his tough divorce, it felt like a happy ending.
Ever since, they’ve been pretty open about their relationship, dropping photos and reels on Instagram here and there.
When was the engagement announced, and how was it shared?
The engagement was announced on January 12, 2026, through a joint Instagram post. The photo showed their hands with engagement rings, against a backdrop of red roses arranged in a heart shape with LED lights spelling “The beginning of forever.”
Sophie’s diamond ring, reportedly a 2.5-carat oval-cut stone, was prominently featured. The announcement generated a wave of congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities, with the post going viral within minutes.
When and where is their wedding scheduled?
From what’s being reported, the two are planning to tie the knot in the third week of February 2026. The venue? Somewhere in Delhi-NCR. Dhawan’s apparently very involved; he wants a say in how everything comes together.
Friends of theirs have called it “a new beginning,” saying there’s a lot of quiet happiness and gratitude between them. Still, Dhawan and Sophie haven’t shared any official dates or specifics just yet.
Why is this Engagement a Milestone for Shikhar Dhawan After his Divorce in 2023?
Dhawan and Aesha Mukherjee split in October 2023 after a Delhi court granted their divorce on grounds of mental cruelty. They’d been married since 2012-11 years that ended with a long and messy legal fight.
The divorce took a heavy toll on Dhawan, especially being kept away from his son Zoravar. He got emotional about it in February 2025, admitting he hadn’t seen or spoken to Zoravar in over a year, two years without seeing him at all.
So for Dhawan, getting engaged to Sophie isn’t just about moving on. It’s a fresh start after one of the hardest chapters of his life.
How has Sophie supported Shikhar during his retirement?
Dhawan retired on August 24, 2024. He shared a video saying, “It’s important to turn the page and move forward in life.” Sophie was with him through all of it. People who know them say she kept him grounded and was his rock during that tough time.
She also made sure to be there at big events, like IPL 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025. Friends say she’s been a huge help as Dhawan adjusts to life outside cricket. She is calm when things get hectic.
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FAQs
1. What does Sophie Shine do for a living?
Sophie is currently working as a Second Vice President at Northern Trust Corporation in Abu Dhabi and is COO of Da One Group (Shikhar Dhawan’s Business Conglomerate) and CEO of Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, running initiatives such as Digital Shiksha and Livelihood on Wheels.
2. How long have Shikhar and Sophie been together before getting engaged?
The couple first met a few years ago in Dubai, made their relationship public on May 1, 2025, and announced their engagement on January 12, 2026.
3. Does Shikhar Dhawan have children from his previous marriage?
Yes, Dhawan has an 11-year-old son named Zoravar from his marriage to Aesha Mukherjee.
4. Where did Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine get engaged?
The specific location of the proposal hasn’t been officially revealed, though some speculation suggests they may have been engaged as early as February 14, 2025. The formal announcement came through Instagram on January 12, 2026.
5. What role does Sophie play in Shikhar’s business ventures?
Sophie is the Chief Operating Officer of Da One Group, which includes Da One Sports, the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, and Yashaa (celebrity investments).
