Shikhar Dhawan, the ever-smiling southpaw of Indian cricket, has finally drawn the curtain back on his personal life. After months of speculation and quiet sightings, he’s made it official. On Thursday, May 1, Dhawan appeared on social media in a warm embrace with Irish product consultant Sophie Shine. The photograph, shared by Sophie herself, came with a simple yet powerful caption — “My love,” sealed with a heart emoji. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soph (@sophieshine93) The post, now viral, has silenced whispers and confirmed what fans long suspected. The couple had been seen together earlier this year — once during a Champions Trophy match in Dubai and again at a media conclave. Dhawan had then dropped a cryptic clue, saying, at the Times Now Conclave, “I won’t name anyone. But the most beautiful girl in the room is my girlfriend. Now you can figure it out.” Many did. But now, there’s no need to guess. Read also: Rohit Sharma's Last-Second DRS Sparks Controversy in RRvsMI An Irish chapter after heartbreak Sophie Shine isn’t from the cricket world. She’s an Irish national, educated in Marketing and Management from Limerick Institute of Technology, and currently works as second vice president—product consultant at Northern Trust Corporation. Based in the UAE, Sophie is believed to have met Dhawan during one of his visits there. This chapter in Dhawan’s life comes after immense personal struggle. The stylish opener went through a painful divorce from Aesha Mukherjee in October 2023, ending an 11-year marriage. The separation wasn’t just emotional; it left deep scars. In early 2025, Dhawan revealed he hadn’t seen his son, Zoravar, in two years. Their last conversation was over a year ago. A Delhi court acknowledged his suffering, stating Aesha had kept him away from his child and did not defend the accusations. Though the court granted visitation rights and virtual communication privileges, Dhawan claimed he’d been blocked entirely. Through all of this, he remained dignified — a warrior off the field too. Now, as he stands beside Sophie, there’s a sense of healing. For a man who has battled both bouncers and betrayals, this moment offers calm. Dhawan seems ready to smile again — not just in photos, but in life.