Updated: February 22, 2026
Shikhar Dhawan, the charismatic former Indian cricketer known for his explosive batting and infectious smile, has always kept fans hooked on and off the field. But behind the glamour, his personal life has seen real heartbreak—especially his high-profile marriage and eventual divorce from Ayesha Mukerji. Their story is one of love across cultures, family blending, and a bitter end that left lasting emotional scars. As of 2026, with Shikhar recently tying the knot again, people are still curious about his ex-wife Ayesha, their son Zoravar, and what really happened. Here’s the complete, updated picture.
Table of Contents
Who Is Ayesha Mukerji? A Quick Look at Her Background
Ayesha Mukerji (sometimes spelled Aesha Mukherjee) is a Melbourne-based fitness expert, former kickboxer, entrepreneur, and somatic practitioner. Of Anglo-Indian descent, she’s built a life around health, coaching, and personal growth. She’s the co-founder of B.Human Movement and shares insights on emotional well-being and mindset.
- Before Shikhar, Ayesha was married once and has two daughters, Rhea and Aliyah, from that relationship.
- She’s known for her strong, independent personality and love for fitness—she even trained in kickboxing.
- Today, she keeps a low profile, with a private Instagram focused on her work as a mentor and leader in wellness.
Ayesha brought a unique blend of cultures into Shikhar’s life, and for years, they looked like the perfect modern couple.
How Shikhar Dhawan and Ayesha Mukerji Fell in Love and Built a Family
Shikhar and Ayesha’s journey began around 2009–2010 when the Indian opener was rising in international cricket. Despite a roughly 10-year age gap and different backgrounds, they connected deeply. After a three-year engagement, they tied the knot in October 2012 in a beautiful ceremony in Delhi.
The couple welcomed their son, Zoravar Dhawan, on December 26, 2014. Shikhar embraced fatherhood wholeheartedly—not just to Zoravar but also to Ayesha’s two daughters, whom he treated as his own. Family photos from those years showed a happy, blended unit, often sharing moments from Australia (where Ayesha and the kids spent much time) and India.
For a while, it seemed like a dream match: cricket stardom meets fitness passion, cross-continental love, and a growing family.
What Really Went Wrong? The Painful Road to Divorce
Trouble started surfacing around 2020. Rumors of differences grew louder, and by September 2021, Ayesha posted on Instagram announcing their separation, calling divorce a tough but sometimes necessary step.
The official divorce came in October 2023 when a Delhi family court granted Shikhar the decree on grounds of mental cruelty and mental agony. The judge noted that Ayesha’s actions forced a long-distance marriage, kept Shikhar away from his son for extended periods, and caused deep emotional pain. Reports also mentioned financial disputes, including large settlement demands.
Here’s a quick overview of key facts:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Marriage Date | October 30, 2012 (Delhi) |
| Separation Announced | September 2021 |
| Divorce Finalized | October 2023 (Delhi Family Court) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Mental cruelty and agony inflicted on Shikhar |
| Son’s Name & Birth | Zoravar Dhawan, December 26, 2014 |
| Current Residence of Son | Australia (with Ayesha) |
| Custody Outcome | No permanent custody to Shikhar; visitation rights and video calls granted |
The split was tough. Shikhar later opened up about the agony of being separated from Zoravar, saying in early 2025 that he hadn’t seen his son in person for two years and was sometimes blocked from communication—yet he kept sending loving messages.
Life After Divorce: Zoravar, Healing, and New Beginnings
Post-divorce, Ayesha has stayed in Australia with Zoravar and her daughters, focusing on her wellness career and private life. She occasionally shares thoughts on handling tough emotions, like changing your environment to shift your mental state.
For Shikhar, the pain was real—he’s spoken candidly about the emotional toll and using meditation to cope. But he’s also shown incredible resilience. In 2025, he went public with his relationship with Sophie Shine, an Irish professional based in the UAE. Their engagement made headlines, and just recently (February 2026), they got married in an intimate ceremony in the Delhi-NCR region, attended by close friends and family, including cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal.
Shikhar continues to prioritize Zoravar, holding onto visitation rights and video calls, and his fans admire how he’s handled fatherhood amid everything.
Final Thoughts
Shikhar Dhawan and Ayesha Mukerji’s story reminds us that even picture-perfect relationships can face deep challenges. What started as a beautiful cross-cultural love ended in heartbreak, custody struggles, and years of emotional distance. Yet both have moved forward—Ayesha in her wellness world in Australia, and Shikhar finding new love and happiness in 2026.
Life after divorce isn’t easy, especially with a child involved, but Shikhar’s journey shows strength, grace, and hope. Here’s wishing peace for everyone, especially little Zoravar, and happiness for Shikhar in this new chapter.