Shikhar Dhawan confirms his relationship with Irish girlfriend Sophie Shine

In a move that has sent fans and social media into a frenzy, former Indian cricket star Shikhar Dhawan has confirmed his relationship with his rumoured girlfriend Sophie Shine. After months of speculation and viral sightings, Dhawan put all doubts to rest by sharing a cozy picture with Sophie on Instagram, captioned simply with “My ❤️.” The post arrives after a series of public hints and a now-famous viral moment during the Champions Trophy 2025, where a “mystery woman” was seen with Dhawan, sparking widespread curiosity. It now seems that the mystery has been lovingly solved.

Dhawan has always been known for his flamboyant style both on and off the field, and this latest revelation fits right in. The romance between Dhawan and Sophie, an Irish national, had been the subject of speculation since the two were photographed together during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. The intrigue deepened when, during a live television segment, Dhawan was playfully prodded about his rumoured girlfriend. Initially evasive, he soon melted the internet’s collective heart by saying, “I will not take any name. But the most beautiful girl in the room is my girlfriend,” as the camera panned to Sophie.

With his latest Instagram post, Dhawan has dropped all pretences and gone public, making it official for his fans and followers. The cricket fraternity, as well as fans across the globe, have reacted with excitement and support, showering the couple with well-wishes and heart emojis. Sophie, relatively private till now, is also gaining attention, with many curious to learn more about the woman who has captured Dhawan’s heart.

Also READ: “Kargil mein bhi haraya tha…”: Shikhar Dhawan blasts Shahid Afridi for insulting the Indian Army

Dhawan applauds IPL’s young firepower

While his personal life grabbed headlines, Dhawan also made waves for his heartfelt praise of young cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The 14-year-old stunned the cricketing world by smashing a 35-ball century in the IPL 2025, becoming the youngest player ever to score a hundred in the tournament. Speaking at the launch of the Intercontinental Legends Championship, Dhawan didn’t hold back in his admiration. “It’s a great performance indeed, the way he batted was just phenomenal. The big thing is not that he is just 14, the greater thing in that is his self-confidence at such a tender age,” he said.

The praise didn’t stop with Suryavanshi. Dhawan acknowledged a broader wave of young talent lighting up the IPL, from Ayush Mhatre to several other teens making their mark. For Dhawan, who was once a young sensation himself, seeing the next generation shine is a moment of pride and a glimpse into the bright future of Indian cricket.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting explains how PSL plays a part behind PBKS struggle in finding replacements