Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has embarked on a beautiful new chapter, marrying his long-time partner Sophie Shine in an intimate ceremony in Delhi NCR on Saturday, February 21, 2026. As pictures of the couple’s dreamy wedding take social media by storm, here’s everything you need to know about the Irish beauty who captured the heart of the man fondly called ‘Gabbar’.
Lesser know facts about Sophie Shine
Sophie Shine is an Irish finance and product management professional who came into the public spotlight following her engagement and subsequent marriage to Shikhar Dhawan . Unlike many partners of cricketers who come from entertainment or modelling backgrounds, Sophie is a distinguished corporate leader with an impressive international career.
Born in June 1990 in Limerick, Ireland, Sophie is currently 35 years old . She holds Irish nationality and has built a formidable reputation in global finance and consulting .
Education: Strong academic foundation
Sophie completed her schooling at Castletroy College in Limerick, a well-known educational institution in the region She pursued higher education at the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), now part of the Technological University of the Shannon, where she earned a degree in Marketing and Management.
Her academic background in business and marketing laid a strong foundation for her subsequent success in the corporate world.
Professional Career
Sophie has built an enviable career spanning continents and sectors. She began her professional journey in Ireland’s financial services sector as a Client Service Representative at Northern Trust Corporation in March 2018 .
Key professional roles:
Sophie served as Second Vice President – Product Consultant at Northern Trust Corporation in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading financial services institutions. In this role, she handled product management, client strategy, and financial services consulting for major clients.
In March 2025, Sophie transitioned to the sports and philanthropy sector, taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Da One Sports, Dhawan’s conglomerate. This move brought her closer to Dhawan’s business ventures and philanthropic initiatives.
Sophie also currently heads the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, the non-profit philanthropic arm of the Da One Group, playing a key role in initiatives impacting education, health and community development.
Relationship with Shikhar Dhawan: A modern love story
Sophie and Shikhar first crossed paths at a restaurant in Dubai, where their friendship gradually blossomed into a romantic relationship. In a candid revelation, Sophie shared that it was Dhawan’s “mischievous eyes” that attracted her to him.
Relationship timeline
2023: The couple reportedly began dating after their initial meeting in Dubai.
2024: Sophie was first spotted cheering for Dhawan during Punjab Kings’ IPL matches, sparking speculation.
2025: Both were seen together at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, further fuelling rumours.
Sophie officially confirmed their relationship on Instagram with a heartfelt post captioned “My love.”
January 12, 2026: The couple announced their engagement through a dreamy Instagram post. Their engagement announcement read: “From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, the blessings, and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever.”
February 21, 2026: Shikhar and Sophie tied the knot in a private ceremony.
Life in India and social media presence
Sophie has embraced life in India, frequently traveling between Abu Dhabi, where she maintains her corporate base, and Delhi NCR, where she now has a significant presence . She has built a substantial social media following, with approximately 380,000 followers on Instagram.
Over the past months, Sophie has regularly shared glimpses of her life with Shikhar, including fun reels and pictures that showcase their chemistry and shared sense of humour.
