Hardik Pandya Trolled After Divorce from Serbian Wife

Team India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, faced considerable backlash after announcing his separation from Serbian dancer-model, Natasa Stankovic. The news came as a shock to many and sparked a range of reactions on social media. Female users, in particular, were quick to remind everyone of Pandya’s past controversial remarks, branding him a misogynist and recalling his derogatory comments about women on Karan Johar’s talk show.

Pandya confirmed the separation on Thursday, clarifying that the decision was mutual. He shared on Instagram that after trying their best for four years, they concluded it was best for both of them to part ways. He highlighted the joy, mutual respect, and companionship they shared throughout their relationship and emphasized their commitment to co-parenting their son, Agastya, ensuring his happiness and well-being. Pandya also requested privacy during this sensitive time.

Speculation about their relationship had been circulating for a while. Natasa had removed the Pandya surname from her social media profiles and deleted all photos with Hardik. She was also notably absent during his cricket matches, including when he faced significant challenges, such as online abuse or injury issues. This absence fueled the rumors, which now seem validated by the recent announcement.

Interestingly, this personal setback is not the only trouble Pandya has faced recently. Earlier this week, the national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, decided to drop him from the leadership roles in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. Instead of Pandya, veteran batter Suryakumar Yadav was chosen as the captain, with Shubman Gill as his deputy. This decision surprised many, especially given Pandya’s leadership success in the IPL with the Gujarat Titans.

Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian cricketer, expressed his disagreement with the selectors’ decision. He believed that Pandya had already demonstrated his leadership capabilities in the IPL and should have been the first choice to lead the national team in T20Is. Kaif emphasized that Pandya’s experience and past success made him a suitable candidate for the captaincy.

On his part, Hardik Pandya also addressed his fitness journey a few days after his personal and professional setbacks. He reflected on how his dedication to fitness from a young age laid a strong foundation for his athletic career. Despite initially lacking in-depth knowledge about fitness, his consistent training significantly improved his performance, enabling him to bowl at higher speeds. This commitment to fitness played a crucial role in his ascendancy in cricket, especially by 2017 when he began to understand his body and optimize his training further.

Pandya’s focus on fitness underscores his determination and commitment, integral traits that have helped him navigate both athletic challenges and personal struggles. Despite the recent negative turn of events, his willingness to stay fit and improve shows his resilience, even as he faces criticism and the end of a significant personal relationship.

While Pandya’s separation from Natasa Stankovic marks a difficult personal chapter, and his exclusion from the T20I captaincy adds to his current woes, it remains clear that he is determined to continue his journey in cricket with a dedicated approach to fitness and performance. As he navigates these personal and professional hurdles, his fans and the cricketing community watch closely to see how he manages to overcome these challenges.

Source: IANS