The veteran India batter Shikhar Dhawan is making headlines again due to speculation over his personal life. He was seen recently with a mystery woman at the India vs. Bangladesh match at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, and photos/videos of the pair went viral across social media. Many observed that the same woman was seen with Dhawan previously in November 2024.

Media reports have linked the woman to Sophie Shine. After so many instances of the two being together, the rumors around Shikhar Dhawan dating Sophie Shine continue to grow. While neither Dhawan nor Sophie Shine have confirmed anything, their sightings have made fans, especially netizens, more curious. The buzz around their potential relationship continues to grow as the images circulate across social media platforms.

See Also: Shikar Dhawan finally breaks the mystery of his rumoured girlfriend Sophie Shine

Recently, Sophie Shine shared a photo on her Instagram handle, showing her spending quality time with Shikhar Dhawan. What truly caught fans’ attention was the caption that read “My ❤️,” which added fuel to the ongoing dating rumours. Additionally, Sophie was seen wearing a ring on her ring finger, sparking even more speculation. Fans quickly began connecting the dots, with many taking the heartfelt caption and the visible ring as strong signs that the two are in a relationship, further intensifying the buzz around their bond.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Soph (@sophieshine93)

Who is Sophie Shine?

There have been reports that Sophie Shine is an Irish product consultant with an impressive legacy of work experience. She graduated from  Limerick Institute of Technology with a degree in Marketing and Management, and attended Castleroy College in Ireland. She is currently employed as Second Vice President at Northern Trust Corporation based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Sophie tends to keep a low profile but has found herself in the public eye due to her good looks and her social media exposure.

Sources who know the couple suggest that Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie have been together for several years after meeting in Dubai. Their relationship began as a casual friendship, but over time, their friendship developed into something deeper. Their relationship has deepened however, and sources are reporting they moved in together over a year ago, suggesting a deeper commitment.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan took a light-hearted dig at his ex-teammate and 2004 U19 World Cup captain Ambati Rayudu during his Hindi commentary stint in the Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2025 match. Dhawan jokingly held Rayudu responsible for India’s semifinal loss to archrivals Pakistan in the ICC U19 World Cup 2004.

Back in 2004, Rayudu was leading a promising Indian squad and was seen as the next big thing in Indian cricket. India cruised through the group stage and reached the semifinal, where they were set to face Pakistan. However, a major blow came when Rayudu was banned from the crucial match due to a slow over rate in the final group game against Sri Lanka—an offense confirmed by both on-field umpires.

Read More: IPL 2025: LSG vs DC Match 40 - Ekana Cricket stadium stats and preview

Pakistan initially struggled during their chase in the semifinal, but managed to regroup and snatch a victory from India, securing their place in the final. They went on to defeat the West Indies to lift the U19 World Cup. Reflecting on the incident, Dhawan quipped that Rayudu’s absence in the semifinal had a significant impact on the team’s performance and may have cost them a spot in the final.

Watch the hilarious moment here: 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by virat kohli (@virat.kohli20018)

Dhawan recalled his U/19 days

During his IPL 2025 commentary stint, Shikhar Dhawan recalled that Ambati Rayudu was a prominent name in U19 cricket and had captained India in the U19 World Cup. He mentioned that Rayudu was banned ahead of the semifinal match, which, according to Dhawan, significantly impacted the team’s performance and led to their loss in that crucial game.

"Ambati Rayudu ka bahut bada naam tha U19 mai. Humare captain the U19 World Cup mei aur waha pe bhi ban hogaye the, humara semi-final mar gaya (Ambati Rayudu was a big name in U19 cricket. He was our captain in the U19 World Cup, and he got banned there also ahead of the semi-final, and we lost," said Shikhar Dhawan during his IPL 2025 commentary work. 

In place of regular skipper Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik was assigned to lead the team in the semifinal. Batting first, Team India scored 168 runs; Robin Uthappa was the top scorer with 33. Pakistan in the second innings had a tough time at the beginning, losing wickets at regular intervals, which resulted in 5 for 83. From here, the neighboring country team turned the tables with the help of Tariq Mahmood (45 not out) and Fawad Alam (43 not out). Together, the duo stitched a match-winning 88-run partnership. 

Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has showcased remarkable batting brilliance through unforgettable individual performances. Scoring half-centuries and centuries has become a symbol of consistency, skill, and flair. Over the years, a select group of standout players has dominated this category, earning their place among the top five all-time leaders for most 50+ scores with their unique contributions and impressive displays at the crease.

David Warner

Australian batter David Warner has achieved 66 fifty-plus scores from 184 innings. The combination of calculated aggression in his batting technique transformed Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals into powerful forces in the Indian Premier League. Warner emerges as a legendary T20 player because of his unmatched ability to control bowling attacks.

Virat Kohli

For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat Kohli brought up fifty-plus scores in the same number of 66 matches through 248 innings. People venerate Kohli because his ability to sustain composure while pacing innings stands as an unmatchable advantage.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Virat Kohli marks 100th T20 Half-Century, becomes first Indian to achieve this feat

Shikhar Dhawan

The third-place spot for fifty-plus scores belongs to Shikhar Dhawan, who played 221 innings and scored 53 such innings. His stylish batwork has established him as a dependable run-maker for both Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals during the IPL season.

Rohit Sharma

In 255 innings, Rohit Sharma scored 45 fifty-plus scores, which puts him at position number four. As Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma uses power together with elegance to lead his team to win multiple IPL trophies through his power-hitting leadership and bat talents.

Also Read: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Match Highlights IPL 2025

AB de Villiers

As the final entry on the list, AB de Villiers scored 43 fifty-plus hits across 170 innings. His techniques for Royal Challengers Bengaluru received global admiration through memorable innings that built him into a star among fans.

The groundbreaking players have become the foundation of IPL by their exhilarating run-scoring performances. The IPL fans find inspiration from their constant success at scoring above 50 as these players excel through talent, flexibility, and style in play for the upcoming 2025 league.

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been back in the news lately, not for his heroics on the field, but for his life off it. Dhawan recently trended on social media after posting an Instagram reel with his alleged girlfriend, Sophie Shine. The buzz around his love life grew even more so when the two were seen together at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Their public outings haven't gone unnoticed, particularly their attendance at a recent media conclave. At the event, Dhawan confirmed that he is indeed dating someone, further igniting the romance rumors.

"Yep, I'm over it," Dhawan explained in a very frank moment. "I'd never say that I was unlucky at love—I would say, though, that my decisions came from lack of experience. Now that I've got experience, that will work in my favor. It was a learning process for me."

Shikhar Dhawan in a reel on Instagram. 😄 pic.twitter.com/QaQJtGyEzF

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 12, 2025

Also Read: Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants Match Highlights IPL 2025

When asked whether he's prepared to fall in love again, he smiled and said, "I am always in love!" His honesty has captured the hearts of fans, particularly as he accepts this new chapter of life with confidence and optimism.

Who Is Sophie Shine?

Sophie Shine is a professional Irish product consultant. She holds a degree in marketing and management from the Limerick Institute of Technology and had studied at Castleroy College, Ireland, before that.

She is currently working as the second vice president at Abu Dhabi-based Northern Trust Corporation. Her recent appearances in public with Dhawan have made her one of the trending figures in media circles.

Shikhar Dhawan's Glorious Cricket Career

On August 24, Shikhar Dhawan formally announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, ending a legendary career. The left-handed opener played for India in 269 international games and scored 10,867 runs at an average of 40.39. He made 24 centuries and 55 half-centuries in his record.

Also Read: RR vs RCB: A Head to Head breakdown IPL 2025

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan featured in 222 games, scoring 6,768 runs at an average of 35.07, with two centuries and 51 half-centuries. His last international match was an ODI against Bangladesh on December 10, 2022, in Chattogram.

Delhi Capitals' emerging sensation, Ashutosh Sharma, delivered a match-winning performance in the latest IPL 2025 fixture, earning him the prestigious Player of the Match (POTM) award. His fearless batting and composure under pressure helped DC secure a crucial victory.

During the presentation after the match, Ashutosh expressed his affection for Shikhar by handing the award to his mentor, Shikhar Dhawan, and happily addressing him as "Shikhar Paaji." He said that his leader had helped him so much and had been by his side in all the good and bad instances he had been through.

Delhi Capitals' new hero, Ashutosh Sharma, dedicates his POTM award to Shikhar Dhawan❤️ pic.twitter.com/Nd51VbQr8e

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 24, 2025

Also Read: Most sixes in IPL’s 20th over: The ultimate finishers

Ashutosh Sharma knew no bounds as he made an unbeaten 66 runs off 31 balls, striking five fours along with five sixes during the Delhi Capitals' one-wicket win against a strong Lucknow Super Giants side, who were chasing a tough total of 210. His 28-ball fifty and a crucial 64-run partnership with Vipraj Nigam in 22 balls turned the game, securing Delhi’s highest-ever IPL chase with three balls to spare.

Shikhar Dhawan, a veteran along with being the most successful IPL batsman in Indian cricket, is known to be a tutor of young cricketers due to his longevity in the cricket field. His style and behavior on the field are the things that many young players look up to. His experience, leadership, and winning attitude to the game have been the models for many of the up-and-coming superstars, Ashutosh Sharma being the last one to claim that Dhawan has been instrumental in his development.

Shikhar Dhawan recently discussed the tremendous assistance he had from MS Dhoni during his professional career.  He thanked Dhoni for helping him and Rohit Sharma, emphasising how the former skipper's guidance influenced their professional paths.

"Dhoni bhai supported and backed me a lot. He also backed Rohit. His guidance helped us."

- Dhawan !! ❤pic.twitter.com/ZssP7uzWxZ

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) February 21, 2025

ALSO SEE: Chahal And Dhanashree Parted Ways Posting Cryptic Messages

Dhoni, who is renowned for his calm leadership, always saw talent and gave players the courage to succeed.  He made a brilliant move by elevating Rohit Sharma to the position of opener, while Dhawan himself profited from Dhoni's confidence at pivotal times.
This illustrates why a lot of players from Dhoni's time still credit him with helping them succeed.  As a captain, he stood out for his ability to develop and encourage teammates in addition to his strategic leadership.

Former Indian Cricketer and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Brand Ambassador Shikhar Dhawan attended yesterday's game between India and Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. ICC announced Shikhar Dhawan as a brand ambassador for Champions Trophy 2025 on 17th February. Shikhar Dhawan won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and the Golden Bat award twice, in the 2013 and 2017 editions.

Shikhar Dhawan made a surprise visit to Team India Camp before the game. He was happy to meet all the boys after such a long time. Dhawan also said that he recreated his memories and he was very happy. He also said Munde Tagde Hai (The boys are tough).

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

Team India kickstart their Champions Trophy 2025 with a 6-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Earlier Mohammed Shami shined with the figures of 5-53 with this 5-fer Shami also completed his 200 ODI Wickets and restricted Bangladesh to 228 in 49.4 overs. Towhid Hridoy was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 100 runs off 118 balls. Team India chased the total in 46.3 overs and won the game by 6 wickets. Shubman Gill shined with 101* off 129 to take India home comfortably. Shikhar Dhawan also congratulated Team India on a brilliant victory.

Congratulations Team India on an excellent win, @ShubmanGill’s brilliant 101 and @MdShami11’s milestone of 200 ODI wickets, along with a fantastic five wicket haul, made it a perfect performance by our boys! Great to see Team India dominating, let’s keep up the same pace for the…

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 20, 2025

Shikhar Dhawan was also seen with a mysterious lady while enjoying the action between India and Bangladesh. It left everybody with the question Who is this mysterious lady? Is it Shikhar Dhawan's GF?

The name of the woman sitting with Shikhar Dhawan may be Soph, which is visible on her Instagram account.  As Shikhar Dhawan follows her on Instagram.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma provided another solid start for his national team with the bat in their first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they faced Bangladesh in the Group A fixture at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Commentators once again praised the Indian skipper's batting style, while his old Indian opening partner Shikhar Dhawan made a special comment. 

In their first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match, after restricting Bangladesh to 228 runs from 35/5, Indian captain Rohit Sharma set up another good start for Men in Blue on the tricky batting pitch. While he and Shubman Gill had a valuable 69-run partnership for the first wicket inside the first powerplay, Rohit was dismissed on the fifth ball of the 10th over after scoring 41 off 36 balls with seven fours. His aggressive batting failed Bangladesh's early plan to pressurize the Indian batters.

See Also: Social media shower praises for unstoppable Mohammed Shami

Aakash Chopra and Shikhar Dhawan called Rohit Sharma pure diamond

Former Indian cricketers, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Aakash Chopra, and Shikhar Dhawan, were enjoying Rohit's batting in the Hindi commentary box. Aakash Chopra first commented, "10-carat ka heera hain ye" (He is a 10-carat diamond).

Shikhar Dhawan, who was a great opening partner of Rohit, replied with "Kehte hain ki kisi ke naak main heera, kisi ke kaan main heera, mujhe heero se matlab kya, mera to yaar hain heera" (They say that someone has a diamond in their nose, someone has a diamond in their ear, what do I care about diamonds, my friend is a diamond) 

Shikhar Dhawan for Rohit Sharma:

"Kisi ke naak me heera, kisi ke kaan me heera. Mujhe unse kya lena dena, kyonki mera to yaar hi hain Heera"🥹❤️
pic.twitter.com/IORq7DmAoi

— Kuljot (@Ro45Kuljot) February 20, 2025

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were great opening partners

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were one of the best opening partners in Indian white-ball cricket history. As the opening partners, they recorded 5148 partnership runs in ODIs and 1743 partnership runs in T20Is.

Love's Persistence: Finding Ways to Connect

This painful reality reveals the emotional burden on all concerned who are embroiled in the agonizing divorce and custody battle, whereby one in such a situation ends up being distant in the realization of human privilege, mainly since the spouse might be acting in such a manner as to thwart the functioning of the other party's natural right to meet with their offspring. In the face of considerable hurdles, however, his continuous efforts to reach out evidence his deep love and commitment.

Shikhar Dhawan said, "I still message my son, even though I'm blocked from everywhere".

- An emotional interview of Gabbar!pic.twitter.com/UesiSw3CLU

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 16, 2025

ALSO READ:Yashasvi Jaiswal Ruled Out of Ranji Trophy Semifinal Due to Ankle Injury

Shikhar Dhawan's words resonate with valid anguish:"I try to message my son even though I am blocked everywhere." This hints that Dhawan has been formally cut off from communicating with his son, Zoravar, due to a challenging divorce and custody battle. It may well be that he has been barred from all contact by various means phone calls, messaging and social media, and possibly even emails. Still, he continues to put his messages to Zoravar in the fond hope that maybe one day they'll get through or simply because he's trying to give expression to his love and keep a one-sided dialogue open.

With a week to go  for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the lineup of Event Ambassadors that will feature to add to the fan experience.

Pakistan’s 2017 winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed features in an all-star cast that also boasts two-time champion, Australia’s Shane Watson, Player of the Series in India’s 2013 trophy-winning campaign, Shikhar Dhawan, and New Zealand’s legendary fast bowler, Tim Southee.

THE BRAND AMBASSADORS FOR CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025:

- Shikhar Dhawan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shane Watson, Tim Southee. pic.twitter.com/a2A49dmB0R

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 12, 2025

Brand Ambassadors view on this mega event :

Sarfaraz Ahmed: “I will never forget how special it felt to don the white jackets and lift the trophy aloft as Pakistan captain back in 2017. Seeing the nation get behind us and celebrate that success is also something that’s very close to my heart, so I am delighted to see the competition return to the cricket calendar and see my country given the opportunity to host such a special event. The format means that every game is so important, and I can’t wait to play my part as an Ambassador and witness the tournament first-hand.”

ALSO SEE : TATA WPL 2025 Ticket Booking: Dates, Venues, Prices & How to Buy

Shikhar Dhawan: “It is such a special feeling to be part of a Champions Trophy, and to be given the opportunity to enjoy the upcoming edition as an Ambassador is an honour. Over the next few weeks, we’ll see the best sides in the world competing for the white jackets knowing that one mistake or one loss could spell the end of their hopes. It’s the ultimate competition where it’s all on the line, and that is what makes it such a thrilling spectacle.”

Tim Southee: “I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. It is an event that I always enjoyed playing in and one that always delivers on entertainment and drama. As a player, you’re aware that every game, every ball and every moment matters in the Champions Trophy format, and with so much at stake, I can’t wait to see how the action will unfold.”

Shane Watson: “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is a truly unique event that has provided us with so many unforgettable moments down the years. With the top eight teams going head-to-head for the iconic white jackets, we are sure to see some extraordinary do-or-die cricket across three thrilling weeks.”