Cricket

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's separation from his wife, model Natasa Stankovic, continues to make headlines. The couple, who played a significant role in India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory, announced their separation in July after months of speculation.Following the official announcement, Natasa returned to her hometown in Serbia with their four-year-old son, Agastya. Recently, Natasa's social media activity has sparked rumors that infidelity may have been a factor in the separation.Fans have noticed Natasa liking Instagram reels related to toxic relationships, cheating, and emotional abuse. This has led to speculation that Hardik may have been unfaithful, leading to the divorce.Earlier, Hardik had posted an emotional message for Agastya on his birthday, expressing his love and affection for his son. He also commented on Natasa's Instagram post, where she was spending time with Agastya, using a series of emojis.In their joint Instagram statement, Hardik and Natasa wrote: "After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe that this is in the best interest for the both of us."The separation has been a difficult decision for the couple, who have shared joy, respect, and companionship over the years. However, they believe that this is the best path forward for both of them.

India's triumphant return from the T20 World Cup 2024 was a memorable occasion, but it was also a sleepless one for the team and accompanying journalists.After a grueling tournament and a delayed departure due to a hurricane, the Indian team finally boarded a 16-hour flight from Barbados to Delhi. However, the flight was far from restful.According to a producer on the flight, no player slept for more than six hours. The atmosphere was lively, with players mingling with journalists and Star Sports engineers who had been stranded on the island.Even head coach Rahul Dravid was unable to find a comfortable spot to sleep. He reportedly moved to the economy section in search of a four-seater, where he managed to catch some shut-eye.Rohit Sharma, known for his jovial nature, was overheard jokingly scolding someone during the flight. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant also engaged in conversations with the media.The constant chatter and excitement made it difficult for anyone to get a good night's sleep. The producer recalled, "I remember I was sleeping and I could suddenly hear Rohit scolding somebody. I saw and he was standing right there. But Rohit, in his style, was scolding jokingly."Despite the lack of sleep, the Indian team arrived home to a hero's welcome. Their victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 marked a significant milestone for Indian cricket, ending a decade-long drought in ICC events.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's heart melted with emotions as he penned a heartfelt birthday message for his son Agastya on July 30, 2024. Despite being separated from his wife Natasa Stankovic, Hardik shared adorable moments with his son, who is currently with Natasa."You keep me going every single day! Happy birthday to my partner in crime, my whole heart, my Agu. Love you beyond words," Hardik wrote on Instagram.The post sparked an outpouring of support from fans, with many expressing their understanding of Hardik's pain at being away from his son. "Father's feel button," wrote one fan, while another commented, "Only Hardik can understand the pain of being away from son."The news of Hardik and Natasa's separation had shocked fans earlier this month. In a joint statement, they announced their decision to part ways after four years together.Hardik's recent performances on the cricket field have been nothing short of exceptional. He played a pivotal role in India's triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup and is currently representing India in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka.Natasa, a Serbian model and actress, has been spotted in Serbia with Agastya. Hardik's reaction to her post with a series of emojis was met with appreciation from social media users.In their joint Instagram post, Hardik and Natasa expressed their commitment to co-parenting Agastya and ensuring his happiness. They requested privacy during this difficult time.

Hardik Pandya's sudden removal as India's T20I captain and exclusion from the ODI squad has raised eyebrows. The decision, made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, has been attributed to Pandya's fitness concerns and limited availability.Pandya, who led India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has been plagued by injuries, including an ankle issue during the 50-over World Cup last year. Despite his impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, scoring 144 runs and taking 11 wickets, Pandya's fitness has become a concern.Former India pacer Ashish Nehra expressed surprise at the decision, stating that Pandya's fitness and limited match play could be factors. However, Nehra emphasized Pandya's importance in India's white-ball setup when fit.Suryakumar Yadav, who has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, shares a close bond with former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, who showed faith in Suryakumar during their time together at KKR, may view him as a long-term captaincy prospect.Nehra believes that Suryakumar's captaincy will depend on his form, equation with the coach and selection committee, and the team's performance. He also highlighted the transition in the Indian team after the World Cup win, with Rohit Sharma remaining as the main captain and Shubman Gill as his deputy.Nehra expressed confidence in Suryakumar's abilities under Gambhir's guidance, citing their familiarity from their time at KKR. He also noted that other countries have successfully implemented multiple captains in different formats.

After being overlooked for the T20I captaincy, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize playing time and draw inspiration from his ICC T20 World Cup heroics to maintain peak fitness.Pandya, who served as Rohit Sharma's deputy during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was considered a frontrunner to succeed Rohit as captain. However, he was named only as a player for the ongoing Sri Lanka tour, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as T20I captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain.Shastri attributed Pandya's fitness concerns as the primary reason for his exclusion from the captaincy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the need for a consistently available player, which tipped the scales against Pandya.In an interview with The ICC Review, Shastri urged Pandya to play as much as possible to regain match fitness. He advised Pandya to participate in all available T20I matches and consider playing in one-day games if he feels fit enough.However, Shastri stressed the importance of bowling consistently for Pandya to be considered for one-day cricket. He noted that a player who can only bowl three overs in a one-day game would disrupt the team's balance.Pandya has a history of major injuries dating back to 2018, including a stress fracture and back surgery. He also sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Despite these setbacks, Pandya showcased his exceptional talent in the T20 World Cup, scoring crucial runs and taking important wickets. He played a pivotal role in India's victory in the final, taking the wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the last over.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances should motivate him to regain full fitness. He emphasized that Pandya understands his body better than anyone and should be inspired by his World Cup heroics to prioritize his fitness.

India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados on June 29, 2024, marked a historic moment for the nation. One month later, the euphoria surrounding the victory continues to reverberate online, as fans celebrate the team's remarkable achievement.In the thrilling final against South Africa, India's batting duo of Virat Kohli (76 off 59) and Axar Patel (47 off 31) set the stage with a formidable total of 176 for 7. South Africa's chase seemed promising, with Heinrich Klaasen's blistering half-century bringing them within striking distance.However, Hardik Pandya's inspiring second spell proved decisive. He dismissed Klaasen (52 off 27) and David Miller (21 off 17), turning the tide in India's favor. Suryakumar Yadav's incredible catch at the boundary further cemented India's dominance.Pandya's three wickets, along with Jasprit Bumrah's (2 for 18) and Arshdeep Singh's (2 for 20) contributions, kept the pressure on South Africa in the dying stages. India's victory marked the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013. It also brought to a close Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach, with Gautam Gambhir taking over the reins.The victory parade in Mumbai was a testament to the team's popularity, with lakhs of fans lining the streets to celebrate. The felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium capped off a memorable day for the champions.One month after the historic win, the joy among Indian fans remains palpable. Social media platforms are abuzz with posts expressing gratitude and admiration for the team's performance. The victory has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired a new generation of cricket enthusiasts.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize fitness and play as much cricket as possible to regain his peak performance. Shastri's comments come after Pandya was overlooked for the T20I captaincy in favor of Suryakumar Yadav.Pandya's fitness issues have been a recurring concern, dating back to a stress fracture in 2018. Despite recovering from surgery, his back problems resurfaced, necessitating another surgery. More recently, he sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances in the T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's victory, should inspire him to regain his fitness. He emphasized the importance of match fitness, especially for all-rounders who need to bowl consistently."If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," Shastri said.Shastri also acknowledged Pandya's understanding of his body and expressed confidence that he would be motivated to get back to full fitness. He urged Pandya to play as much T20I cricket as possible to maintain his match sharpness."I think it is up to him really, more than anything else," Shastri added. "He understands his body better than anyone. And I am sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going."Pandya's fitness will be crucial for India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and the World Cup later this year. If he can overcome his injury concerns and regain his peak form, he will be a valuable asset to the team.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy prospects appear uncertain as former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes the added responsibilities could hinder his performance and fitness. Styris supports the Indian team management's decision to refrain from appointing Pandya as captain, citing concerns about his injury history and the physical demands of bowling.Styris emphasizes that Pandya's all-rounder abilities make him India's best in that role. However, he believes that the pressures of captaincy could compromise his fitness and consistency. "I wouldn't have personally made Hardik Pandya my captain either," Styris told News18. "I think that's a smart choice solely for one reason, and that is as an all-rounder. Skills-wise, he is India's best all-rounder. He is phenomenal. But you want him to be consistently fit."Pandya's recurrent injuries and the physical toll of bowling are key factors in Styris' assessment. "At the moment, how he's in and out with his injuries, you know, bowling is really hard. It takes a lot out of you and your body. So sometimes, adding all the responsibility of captaincy is not necessarily a good thing because there's just too much to do," Styris explained.Styris also highlights Pandya's crucial role as a bowler, especially given the fitness concerns surrounding key pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Pandya's presence as a sixth bowler can be invaluable for the team. "These fast bowling stocks are the one area where India probably needs a little bit more help, which is why I like the selection of these youngsters. Anytime Bumrah is not here, your team is going to be weaker. He's as good as anyone who's ever played the game, especially the white ball. So the decision to give him a rest, you totally understand. You've got to make sure that he's fresh and ready for some of the other challenges that India have in front of them," Styris added."You want more out of Hardik Pandya. That's why I like the decision not to make him captain because I really want to see him stand up with a dominant role with the ball more than anything," he concluded.The consensus among experts like Styris is that Hardik Pandya should focus on his all-rounder capabilities and maintaining fitness. This would allow him to contribute effectively without the added burden of captaincy.

The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain of India's T20I team has sparked debate, particularly given the omission of Hardik Pandya from the leadership role. Pandya has previously led India in T20Is in Rohit Sharma's absence and was his deputy during the successful T20 World Cup campaign.India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, explained that the decision to name Suryakumar captain was based on fitness considerations. Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who recently concluded his tenure, has endorsed the decision, citing Suryakumar's exceptional skills and leadership qualities.Mhambrey emphasized that Suryakumar's consistent performance and ability to win games for India make him an ideal choice for captaincy. He also highlighted Suryakumar's strong bond with the team, including the younger players."He's been with the team. I've seen him interact with the young guys. He has that respect from the younger lot. The youngsters need to interact with him, he's good at it. So, has a good bond with everyone in the team," Mhambrey said.Mhambrey also commented on the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach, expressing confidence in his experience but acknowledging the need for time to achieve optimal results.Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, commencing on July 27. The series will provide an opportunity for him to demonstrate his leadership abilities and further cement his position as a key figure in Indian cricket.