The world of Indian cricket is buzzing with joy as one of its most beloved figures, Shikhar Dhawan, officially began a new chapter of his life. On February 21, the man affectionately known as Gabbar tied the knot with his partner, Sophie Shine, in an intimate yet elegant ceremony held in the Delhi-NCR region.
The wedding follows their New Year’s announcement, where the couple shared news of their engagement on January 2. As soon as the first official photographs surfaced on social media, showcasing the couple in stunning traditional attire, a wave of warmth swept through the internet. From legendary teammates to high-ranking officials, the cricket fraternity has been quick to shower the newlyweds with love.
Virat Kohli leads the tributes with a “Punjabi” touch congratulating Shikhar Dhawan
Leading the charge of heartfelt messages was none other than former Indian captain and Dhawan’s long-time friend, Virat Kohli. Known for their incredible chemistry both on and off the field, Kohli took to the comment section of the wedding post to offer his wishes in his signature style.
“Mubarkaan jatt ji,” Kohli wrote, accompanied by a red heart emoji.
The short yet sweet message perfectly encapsulated the deep-rooted bond the two share. Their friendship dates back nearly two decades, rooted in the dusty lanes of Delhi’s domestic cricket circuits and their shared journey through the Under-19 ranks. Having spent years together in the Indian dressing room until Dhawan’s retirement from all formats in 2024, Kohli’s wish served as a reminder of the “Delhi Boys” brotherhood that helped define a golden era of Indian batting.
Fans were quick to note that Kohli’s “Jatt Ji” moniker for Dhawan is a nod to the opening batter’s fearless, high-spirited personality that earned him fans worldwide.
Virat Kohli congratulating Shikhar Dhawan. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tNf4Smed0V
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 22, 2026
BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla and cricket celebrities grace the occasion
The celebrations weren’t just limited to digital tributes. The wedding saw a gathering of some of the most influential figures in Indian cricket, highlighting Dhawan’s standing within the community. BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla took to X (formerly Twitter) to share glimpses of the gala event and offer his blessings to the couple.
Shukla’s post featured a series of photographs capturing the festive atmosphere, where he was seen interacting with the newlyweds. His presence underscored the respect Dhawan commands within the board and the sport’s administrative circles.
Participated in wedding of cricketer shikhar Dhawan. Wishing a happy married life to him.@SDhawan25 @ImRo45 @IrfanPathan pic.twitter.com/P3qHe2a9fe
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) February 21, 2026
The event also doubled as a mini-reunion for the “Men in Blue.” Among the attendees were Rohit Sharma, Dhawan’s iconic opening partner, sharing a moment of camaraderie that brought back memories of their prolific partnerships at the top of the order and Irfan Pathan, former all-rounder was seen celebrating the couple’s union, adding to the star-studded guest list.
As Shikhar and Sophie embark on this journey together, the outpouring of support from icons like Kohli and officials like Shukla proves that while Dhawan may have hung up his professional boots, he remains at the very heart of the Indian cricketing family.
Here’s how cricket fraternity reacted:
Happy Married life to Shikhar Dhawan ♥️ pic.twitter.com/dDPVkvIgYm
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 21, 2026
💍 FOREVER BEGINS FOR SHIKHAR DHAWAN 💖
Congratulations to Shikhar Dhawan & Sophie Shine 🥂
Wishing endless happiness and togetherness 🌸#shikhardhawanwedding #ShikharDhawan #SophieShine #India #Wedding pic.twitter.com/1E4taZOBJc
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 21, 2026
Rohit Sharma, Ritika Sajdeh, Yuzi Chahal, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina & Paras Anand ( SG cricket CEO ) at Shikhar Dhawan’s wedding reception yesterday night! ❤ pic.twitter.com/xKi9RD7LZ2
— Rohit Sharma Fan (@hitmanfanfollow) February 22, 2026
Robin Uthappa and his wife and former Tennis player Sheethal Goutham in Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine’s marriage function. 🥰🥰#shikhardhawan #sophieshine #robinuthappa #sheethalgoutham pic.twitter.com/U1fYXncsjK
— Cric4Cric (@Cric4_cric) February 22, 2026
