RCB rising star Gautami Naik gets emotional after idol Hardik Pandya’s surprise message

Gautami Naik gets emotional after idol Hardik Pandya’s surprise message. [Source - @wplt20/x]

RCB Women continue their flawless run in the ongoing WPL 2026, winning five out of five matches. Amid the team’s strong collective performance, one uncapped player has grabbed the spotlight with her brilliance and composure with the bat.

In the latest clash against Gujarat Giants at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, RCB showcased their depth, handling early setbacks with ease. Every player contributed at crucial moments, but the real story was about the young batter Gautami Naik, making her mark on the big stage.

The emergence of this new talent, whose calm approach and ability to anchor an innings under pressure add significant value to RCB’s setup, has been impressive. However, despite a breakthrough knock, it was a post-match moment that truly stood out for Gautami Naik.

Gautami Naik gets message from idol Hardik Pandya after batting heroics vs Gujarat Giants

RCB found a new star who earned widespread praise after her batting heroics against Gujarat Giants. In a post-match interaction, when asked about her cricketing idol, Gautami Naik revealed her admiration for Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, lauding his calm approach under pressure to win matches for his team.

To her surprise, midway through the conversation, WPL’s social media team played a video message from Hardik Pandya himself, congratulating her on the match-winning innings and wishing her success for the future. The gesture caught Gautami off guard, leaving her visibly emotional as she described it as a defining moment of her life.

“OMG. Who recorded this? This is such a special moment for me. I honestly cannot express how I’m feeling right now. He is my idol, and this makes me feel like I have truly achieved something in life,” Gautami said.

Gautami further shared her dream of meeting Hardik Pandya one day, expressing how big a fan she is of the Indian all-rounder. She also wished him the best for the upcoming T20 World Cup and said she hopes to see him lift the trophy once again.

Gautami Naik shines under pressure, plays match-winning knock vs Gujarat Giants

Earlier, RCB, sent in to bat first, faced early trouble as dangerous Grace Harris and Georgia Voll fell cheaply. With the score at 9/2 inside the first two overs, uncapped youngster Gautami Naik walked in at number four, with a rescuing responsibility on a tricky Vadodara track.

Despite a slow start, Gautami showcased elegance and composure, crafting delicate offside drives and perfectly timed lofted shots. She stitched a couple of crucital partnerships with captain Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh, scoring 73 herself, instrumental in setting a formidable 178-run total.

Gautami Naik: Another RCB match-winner rising under pressure

Gautami Naik is yet another example of RCB finding a match-winner at crucial moments this season. Her innings helped stabilize the team under pressure, enabling RCB to post a formidable total, which they went on to defend quite confidently.

Gautami’s 73-run knock stood out as the innings of the match. She earned heartfelt praise from captain Smriti Mandhana and teammates, while her post-match moment receiving Hardik Pandya’s message made it truly unforgettable.