Hardik Pandya marked a stunning return to international cricket by playing a pivotal role in India’s emphatic 101-run victory against South Africa in the opening match of the five-game T20I series.
The star all-rounder, who recently recovered from a left quadricep injury, celebrated the triumph by dedicating his performance to his girlfriend, model Mahieka Sharma, acknowledging her unwavering support during his recovery.
After the match, an emotional Hardik reflected on his journey through injuries, pressure, and self-belief.
“You should be a rockstar—you perform for 10 minutes, and the crowd goes berserk,” he said.
“Life has thrown a lot of lemons at me, but I’ve always believed in making lemonade.
If you don’t believe in yourself, who will? My mindset has always been to come back stronger, bigger, better.”
He added that walking onto the field now feels more meaningful than ever.
“It feels like the crowd is waiting for that moment when I walk in. I’ve stood strong through everything and done things with grace.
That has given me confidence to trust my skillset and truly back myself.”
Credits Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma for Emotional Strength
Hardik went on to praise Mahieka, calling her a stabilising force in his life:
“Injuries test you mentally.
They plant doubts.
A lot of credit goes to my loved ones—and especially my partner. She has been the best thing that happened to me. Since she entered my life, so many great things have happened.”
Mahieka later reshared the post-match video on Instagram with the caption, “My hero.”
Hardik recently defended Mahieka’s privacy after paparazzi photographed her from inappropriate angles, criticising the photographers for indulging in “cheap sensationalism.”
The couple made their relationship official in October 2025 and has since become more open about sharing glimpses of their life.
Hardik’s First Marriage: A Chapter Closed
Before finding love again, Hardik was married to Serbian actress Natasa Stankovic, with whom he tied the knot in May 2020.
The couple welcomed their son, Agastya, the same year. Their relationship drew considerable public attention—from their surprise engagement to their glamorous social appearances.
However, the marriage eventually hit turbulence, leading to a quiet separation earlier in 2025.
While neither Hardik nor Natasa publicly disclosed reasons for their split, fans noticed the absence of joint appearances and removed photos across social media.
After co-parenting arrangements were settled, the two parted ways amicably.
The separation triggered intense media scrutiny, but Hardik chose to keep the matter private and dignified.
Those close to the cricketer say the end of the marriage was emotionally taxing, further challenging him during an already difficult phase marked by injuries and professional setbacks.
A New Beginning With Mahieka
Rumours of Hardik’s relationship with Mahieka began earlier in the year when fans noticed the duo posting holiday pictures from the same locations—and even spotted Mahieka in a matching bathrobe that Hardik had worn in another post.
They kept their relationship private until October, when they made their first public appearance in matching outfits at the airport before flying out to celebrate Hardik’s 32nd birthday in the Maldives.
Since then, Hardik has shared multiple affectionate posts with Mahieka, including a recent series of photos showing the couple washing a car together and sharing a kiss while he recuperated from his injury.
He also posted a heartfelt collage titled “My Big 3”—featuring his son Agastya, cricket, and Mahieka—reflecting the three pillars of his life today.
With a strong on-field comeback and stability in his personal life, Hardik Pandya appears to be entering a renewed phase—one where he hopes to stay “bigger and better” in both cricket and life.
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