Hardik Pandya’s First Public Appearance After Captaincy Snub and Separation from Natasa Stankovic
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya made his first public appearance in Mumbai on Saturday after recent events put him in the spotlight. At the launch of his sports apparel brand with Fancode, Pandya focused on fitness, avoiding discussion on his recent personal and professional challenges.
Pandya and Natasa Stankovic officially announced their separation two days ago, ending their four-year marriage. This announcement came on the heels of Pandya losing out to Suryakumar Yadav in the race for the captaincy of the Indian T20 team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.
Despite these setbacks, Pandya emphasized the importance of mental and physical fitness. “When our body does not get tired, our mind gets tired,” he stated, sharing his philosophy on pushing physical limits.
Ironically, fitness concerns were a key reason for his diminished captaincy prospects. His inability to consistently play all formats and bowl extensively, especially in ODIs, raised concerns.
Earlier this month, Pandya celebrated with the T20 World Cup-winning team during India’s victory parade. However, in a few weeks, he faced significant personal and professional losses.
Despite being seen as a potential successor to Rohit Sharma as India’s T20 World Cup vice-captain, Pandya’s leadership hopes were dashed alongside his divorce announcement.
At his brand launch, Pandya maintained a positive demeanor, sharing insights on fitness while rumors of his injury-prone nature circulated in Indian cricket circles. He reflected on his journey, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and pushing physical limits.
Pandya, who once faced fans’ backlash for replacing Rohit as Mumbai Indians’ captain, turned the tide by playing a pivotal role in India’s World Cup win. He acknowledged the challenges he faced, stating, “It is very, very important to sometimes clean your mind as well.”
Sharing his fitness mantra, Pandya encouraged others to push their limits daily. “Start pushing your barrier every single day because the human body is such a lovely creation by God that it will mould however you want it to,” he said.
While new coach Gautam Gambhir may not favor him for captaincy, Pandya remains determined. He highlighted his dedication to fitness and continual improvement, reflecting on his evolution as a player.
“I always wanted to be No. 1 in everything I do, so I kept training a lot when I was young,” Pandya shared. “I used to bowl in the 130s; higher 130s, I was able to go 140 plus, 142 by pushing.”
Pandya’s focus remains on fitness and self-improvement as he navigates his career and personal life changes.