Cricket

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's reunion with his son Agastya after his divorce from Natasa Stankovic has sparked joy among fans and followers. The couple, who married in 2020 and renewed their vows in 2023, announced their separation in July 2024. Agastya had been staying with Natasa in Serbia following the divorce.Earlier this month, Natasa brought Agastya to Hardik's residence in Mumbai. However, Hardik was away on vacation and missed the opportunity to meet his son. In a heartwarming video that went viral on social media, Hardik was seen jumping with joy upon finally reuniting with Agastya. The video captured the moment Hardik held Agastya and his brother Krunal Pandya's son in his arms, his face beaming with happiness.Both Hardik and Natasa have publicly acknowledged their divorce on social media and have since moved on with their lives. In August, reports emerged that Natasa had difficulty adjusting to Hardik's personality, finding him "too full of himself." Sources claimed that Natasa felt uncomfortable trying to match his flamboyant and self-assured nature.Meanwhile, Hardik is currently not part of the Indian Test team for the ongoing series against Bangladesh. He has not played a Test match in over six years, and it is unlikely that he will make a comeback in the near future. India recently defeated Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. The final match will be played in Kanpur from September 27.

Hardik Pandya's Test return prospects have been downplayed by former India coach Ravi Shastri, despite the all-rounder's recent social media post showcasing his bowling practice. Pandya was removed as Team India's vice-captain in white-ball cricket after Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach, and his Test comeback has been a subject of speculation.Shastri, who coached Pandya during his tenure with the Indian team, believes that Pandya's return to the Test setup depends on his physical and mental readiness. "If he feels he is strong enough to take the load, then why not? Don't want it to be a case where he comes in too early, plays and gets injured and then you miss him for the white-ball as well," Shastri said during commentary of the India-Bangladesh first Test.Shastri emphasized that Pandya's mindset and approach to the situation will be crucial. "Depends on how his mindset is. That would be ideal from India's point of view. I think he is someone who knows his body better than anyone," Shastri added.However, Shastri also suggested that Pandya may need to prioritize certain formats if he is not confident about his fitness and workload. "Got to see where he is most suited, in which format of the game. And stick to that," he said.Pandya played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph as vice-captain, contributing with both bat and ball. However, he was replaced by Shubman Gill as India's vice-captain in T20Is and ODIs after Gambhir's appointment.Pandya's Test chances appear slim, as he did not participate in the Duleep Trophy 2024. The all-rounder's last Test appearance was in 2018, and his return to the Test setup remains uncertain.

Hardik Pandya's recent social media post showcasing his bowling skills with the red ball has sparked speculation about his potential return to Test cricket. The 30-year-old all-rounder has been absent from the format since 2018 due to injuries and has not played a first-class match since December 2018.Despite being approached for the World Test Championship final against Australia, Pandya declined, citing his reluctance to replace a regular red-ball player. However, his recent videos suggest he is preparing for a potential return to the longer format.Pandya remains India's premier pace-bowling all-rounder, but his absence from Test cricket has left a void in the team. His closest competitors, Shivam Dube and Nitish Reddy, have not yet matched his all-round abilities.However, Pandya's intentions regarding his Test future remain unclear. He has not communicated his plans to the team management, and without playing any domestic red-ball cricket, he cannot be directly selected for Test matches."It's heartening to know that Hardik is bowling with red ball but has he really spoken to men who matter (chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma) about his intentions?," a senior BCCI source questioned.It is understood that Pandya's participation in red-ball cricket for Baroda will be crucial in determining his Test prospects. If he performs well in domestic matches, he could earn a recall to the national team for the upcoming tour of Australia.Pandya's return to Test cricket would provide India with much-needed balance. He can contribute as a fourth pacer and a lower-order batsman, giving the team greater depth and flexibility. However, his availability and fitness will be key factors in his selection.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and his wife, model Natasa Stankovic, have been making headlines since their separation in July 2023. The couple, who married in 2020 and renewed their vows in 2023, have a four-year-old son, Agastya.After the separation, Agastya went to Serbia with Natasa. However, in a recent development, Natasa returned to Mumbai on Monday and dropped Agastya at Hardik's home. Hardik's brother Krunal Pandya's wife, Pankuri Sharma, shared a video on Instagram featuring Agastya and her son Kavir.The couple announced their separation on social media, stating that they had decided to go their separate ways. Reports suggest that Natasa was unable to adjust to Hardik's personality, finding him "too full of himself.""He was too flamboyant for her, too full of himself. Natasa could not handle it anymore. She realized that there was a major gap between how they were as people," a source told Times Now.Additionally, rumors have surfaced that Hardik is dating singer Jasmin Walia. However, neither Hardik nor Jasmin have confirmed or denied these rumors.The separation has been a difficult time for both Hardik and Natasa. They have both expressed their love for their son and have stated that they will continue to co-parent him.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed a significant captaincy change at Mumbai Indians (MI), with Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma. This move sparked speculations of a rift between the two players. However, their performances and interactions during India's T20 World Cup victory have shed light on the true nature of their relationship.Veteran journalist Vimal Kumar revealed that Rohit and Hardik initially maintained distance during the first day of practice. However, on the second day, they engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation that resolved their differences. Kumar witnessed this interaction and described it as a defining moment for the team."When I went to the nets, on the first day I saw they were standing far apart and did not talk with each other. But by the second day, I saw them come over, one after the other, and sit together in a corner, talking for a long time. That moment for me defined this team," Kumar said.Kumar believes that this conversation played a crucial role in calming the atmosphere in the dressing room. He also praised India's then head coach Rahul Dravid for handling the situation effectively."The full credit goes to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma for this. The way he handled the big guys - Virat, Hardik, Rohit - I think Rahul Dravid has a lot to do with it. Everyone gelled together. That was the leadership I had confidence in," Kumar added.India's T20 World Cup victory, with Rohit and Hardik making significant contributions, further solidified their bond. Their public displays of affection during the tournament put to rest any lingering doubts about their relationship.The captaincy change at MI may have raised questions, but the events during the T20 World Cup have demonstrated the strength of the bond between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. Their ability to resolve their differences and work together for the success of the team is a testament to their professionalism and commitment to Indian cricket.

Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya and his wife Natasa Stankovic have parted ways after four years of marriage. The couple announced their separation on social media, citing mutual respect and the best interests of their son, Agastya.Sources close to the couple have revealed that Natasa struggled to adjust to Hardik's flamboyant and self-assured personality. Despite her efforts to match his energy, she found it exhausting and uncomfortable. The insider stated, "He was too flamboyant for her, too full of himself. Natasa could not handle it anymore."The decision to separate was not made overnight but was a gradual process. Natasa realized the significant differences in their personalities and the toll it was taking on her. The insider added, "She tried to match it up to him but it made her feel uncomfortable. This was a never-ending process so it became tiring after a while."Since the announcement, Agastya has been staying with Natasa in her mother's hometown in Serbia. Hardik, on the other hand, has been linked to singer Jasmin Walia.In their joint statement, Hardik and Natasa expressed their gratitude for the joy and companionship they shared. They emphasized their commitment to co-parenting Agastya and ensuring his happiness. They requested privacy during this difficult time.The separation has sparked speculation and rumors, but the couple has remained tight-lipped about the specific reasons behind their decision.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been rocked by a series of captaincy changes, with the latest rumors swirling around Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After a disappointing season that saw MI finish at the bottom of the points table, the franchise replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain. This move sparked speculation of a rift between Rohit and Hardik, which was reportedly resolved during the T20 World Cup.However, the drama surrounding MI's captaincy continues. Reports have emerged that Suryakumar Yadav, who was recently appointed captain of India's T20I side, has been approached by KKR to become their skipper. According to journalist Rohit Juglan, KKR has made an unofficial offer to Suryakumar and is willing to trade Shreyas Iyer, last year's title-winning captain, to MI in exchange.This potential move could be facilitated by the mega auction scheduled for next year. However, KKR has not officially commented on the matter. Meanwhile, both Suryakumar and Iyer are currently playing for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament.The Buchi Babu Tournament provides a platform for both players to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming international season. The BCCI has encouraged India internationals to participate in domestic tournaments to maintain peak performance.The captaincy changes and trade rumors surrounding MI and KKR have added an element of intrigue to the IPL. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the teams' fortunes in the upcoming season.

Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain in 2024 sparked controversy among fans, leading to frequent booing and criticism. However, India and MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah has revealed the team's unwavering support for Pandya during this challenging period.Bumrah emphasized that the team strongly disapproves of the negative behavior directed towards Pandya. "We don't encourage or promote that. We don't think it's warranted," he stated. The team rallied around Pandya, providing him with support and encouragement.The situation took a dramatic turn after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pandya's match-winning performance in the final, where he dismissed key South African batsmen, earned him widespread praise and admiration. The narrative shifted, and the fans who had once booed him now cheered him on."The narrative just changed when we won the World Cup," Bumrah said. "This is part of the journey. It's us against the world. We will try to give as much support as we can."Pandya's impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs at a strike rate of over 150 and claimed 11 wickets, further solidified his position as a valuable asset to the team.Bumrah's comments highlight the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. The Mumbai Indians' unwavering belief in Pandya's leadership and abilities ultimately helped him overcome the initial backlash and establish himself as a respected captain.

Hardik Singh Draws Inspiration from Cricket Star Hardik Pandya's Clutch PerformancesIndian hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh has revealed that star cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been a source of inspiration for him due to his ability to deliver exceptional performances in crucial moments.Hardik Singh, who played a pivotal role in India's historic bronze medal triumph at the Paris Olympics, praised Pandya's spectacular performances on the field. "I think Hardik Pandya is doing a really good job for the last 4-5 years. He is doing great," Singh said.Singh noted that Pandya's ability to stand up in important matches and play a decisive role is particularly inspiring. "I try to be myself, but I take inspiration from him as he stands up in important matches and plays a really important role," he added.Pandya's impact was evident in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, where he delivered a match-winning performance in the final against South Africa. He took crucial wickets and bowled a tight final over to defend 16 runs, helping India secure the title.Singh also acknowledged the uncanny success that the name "Hardik" has enjoyed across different sports fields this year. "Hardik naam hi achha hai," he said with a smile.Both Hardik Singh and Hardik Pandya have been instrumental in their respective teams' achievements. Singh's influential performances helped India claim back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics, while Pandya's all-round brilliance has made him one of the top T20I all-rounders in the world.