Following Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) victory in the Women's Premier League (WPL) on February 6, 2026, Smriti Mandhana's mother, Smita Mandhana, stirred social media with a meme repost seemingly aimed at Palash Muchhal, a singer-composer and Mandhana's former fiancé. The post, which was later deleted, quickly gained traction and ignited speculation among fans.

The meme, originally shared by a social media meme page, featured Palash Muchhal wearing a Delhi Capitals (DC) jersey. The meme's caption read: “So this is how Smriti saw DC's players during yesterday's match?”. Another line in the meme said, “Comeback hogaya didi ka”. The implication was that Mandhana's aggressive batting against the Delhi Capitals, whom RCB defeated in the final, was fueled by personal feelings related to Muchhal.

Smita Mandhana's repost of the meme from her Instagram account was unexpected, and screenshots of the post rapidly circulated online. While some fans interpreted the post as playful teasing, others viewed it as a pointed dig at Muchhal. However, Smita Mandhana deleted the meme shortly after posting it, leaving many to wonder about her intentions.

Neither Smriti Mandhana nor her mother have publicly commented on the deleted post or its meaning. The silence has fueled further speculation and discussion on social media platforms. Some believe the repost was a lighthearted moment of fun, while others suggest it alluded to the canceled wedding between Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal.

Mandhana and Muchhal had been in a relationship for several years and were reportedly planning to get married on November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra. However, the wedding was called off, with initial reports citing the hospitalization of Mandhana's father and Muchhal. Following the cancellation, rumors circulated online suggesting Muchhal had been unfaithful, although these claims were never confirmed.

The resurfacing of the past relationship drama via the meme has diverted some attention from Mandhana's accomplishments on the cricket field. As captain, she led the Royal Challengers Bangalore to their second consecutive WPL title. Fans have largely focused on celebrating her leadership and performance in the tournament. The social media buzz surrounding the meme appears to be fleeting, with attention quickly returning to Mandhana's cricketing success.