Hardik Pandya with Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma (Source:X)
The Indian cricket team arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 6) as they began preparations for the much-awaited final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. India will face New Zealand in the final on March 8 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium.
The team flew from Mumbai to Ahmedabad and reached the city. The players and support staff headed to their hotel to begin final preparations for the biggest match of the tournament.
Hardik Pandya introduces girlfriend Mahieka to Gautam Gambhir
A video recorded earlier at Mumbai airport has now gone viral on social media. In the clip, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is seen introducing his girlfriend, Mahieka, to India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The brief interaction quickly went viral online. Gautam Gambhir appeared slightly surprised during the brief meeting, which sparked a wave of reactions on social media.
Read More: Hardik Pandya Suffers Massive Aura Loss After Jacob Bethell Humiliates Him Brutally
In the video, Gautam Gambhir appears a little awkward as well; however, he shares a side hug with Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend, smiling warmly.
Watch the video here:
Meanwhile, after landing in Ahmedabad, some players chose to travel separately from the team bus. All-rounder Axar Patel and star pacer Jasprit Bumrah left the airport in their own cars.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, coach Gautam Gambhir, and the rest of the squad travelled together to the team hotel.
Mahieka’s constant support for Hardik Pandya
Mahieka Sharma has been a regular presence in the stands throughout the T20 World Cup 2026, supporting Hardik Pandya and the Indian team. She was also seen cheering loudly during the semi-final match played in Mumbai.
During that game, Hardik Pandya’s son Agastya was also present in the stadium alongside her. Their presence in the stands drew attention from fans and cameras during the broadcast.
Pandya’s personal life has been in the spotlight since his separation from Serbian actress Natasa Stankovic in July 2024. The couple announced that they had mutually decided to part ways but would continue to co-parent their son Agastya.
However, with Mahieka's presence, it can be said that Hardik Pandya has found love again.
Why Hardik will be a crucial player for India in final?
Hardik Pandya's all-around abilities make him one of the most important players for India in the final. He played a major role in India’s thrilling semi-final victory against the England.
In that match, Hardik produced a powerful cameo with the bat. He scored 27 runs off just 12 balls at an impressive strike rate of 225, helping India cross the 250-run mark.
India eventually finished with a massive total of 253/7 in 20 overs. The score became the fourth-highest team total in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Hardik also delivered with the ball. During England’s chase, he picked up two important wickets and conceded only nine runs in the crucial 19th over. Overall, he finished with figures of 2/38 from his four overs.
England came very close to pulling off the chase, thanks largely to a sensational innings from Jacob Bethell, who smashed 105 runs off just 48 balls. However, India managed to hold their nerve and secure a thrilling seven-run victory.
In the ongoing tournament, Hardik has scored 199 runs from eight matches at a strike rate of 163.11, including two half-centuries. With the ball, he has taken eight wickets.
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