Hardik Pandya is an Indian international cricketer who represents Baroda in domestic cricket and is also a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is an all-rounder, a hard-hitting right-handed batsman, and a fast-medium bowler.
He made his T20 International debut for India on January 27, 2016, against Australia, where he took 2 wickets and scored 27 runs off 14 balls. Pandya made his ODI debut on October 16, 2016, against New Zealand in Dharamsala. He became the fourth Indian to be awarded the Player of the Match on his ODI debut. He was also part of the Indian team in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Hardik played his first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle on July 26, 2017. In the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Pandya scored his first Test and international century.
Pandya has played for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL and currently represents the Mumbai Indians, where he also serves as the captain.
In January 2019, Pandya appeared on the TV show Koffee with Karan alongside his teammate KL Rahul. He made several controversial remarks, leading to his brief suspension from Team India.
Hardik Pandya was born on October 11, 1993, in Surat, Gujarat. His father, Himanshu Pandya, moved the family to Vadodara to facilitate better cricket training facilities for his sons. There, he enrolled Hardik and his brother Krunal in former Indian cricketer Kiran More's academy. Hardik studied up to the ninth grade at MK High School. His father passed away in January 2021 due to cardiac arrest. His elder brother, Krunal Pandya, is also an international cricketer.
Hardik Pandya got engaged to Natasa Stankovic on January 1, 2020, and the couple had a court marriage on May 31, 2020. They announced their divorce by mutual consent on July 18, 2024. The couple has a son together.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Nikhil Naaz provides an exclusive close-up look at the ICC T20 World Cup trophy at the network's Noida office. Highlighting India's status as defending champions, Naaz notes, 'India going to this particular tournament as the defending champion' with a chance to become the first team to win the title three times. The transcript details India's formidable form, having won 32 matches with only five losses in the last 18 months. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 7th February 2026, with the final on 8th March. Naaz discusses the $2.5 million prize money and praises the Indian squad, featuring stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. The report also touches upon the historical significance of the trophy, tracing back to MS Dhoni’s 2007 victory, while contrasting the current accessibility of the silverware with previous controversies involving other cricket tournaments.
In this special report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the escalating pollution crisis in North India and its detrimental impact on the nation's sporting aspirations. Kapoor highlights that the 'air emergency choking North India and several other parts of the country isn't just a health hazard anymore, it's a national liability.' The programme discusses how toxic air quality is jeopardising India's bid for the 2036 Olympics, with Ahmedabad as the frontrunner. Joined by colleague Nikhil Naz, the discussion covers instances where international athletes, including badminton star Anders Antonsen, have raised alarms or refused to play in Delhi. The report further details how pollution affects athlete training, lung capacity, and the overall feasibility of hosting global events like the Commonwealth Games and the ODI World Cup. Kapoor concludes that the environmental crisis is not only an economic burden but a significant hurdle to India's dream of becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
On this Special Report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor and Nikhil Naz discuss the alarming impact of air pollution on India's status as a global sporting hub. The discussion follows reports of Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt withdrawing from the India Open and paying a heavy fine to avoid Delhi's toxic air. Indian chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi is also quoted, stating that 'People are slowly being poisoned in Delhi and nobody seems to care.' The programme highlights how environmental conditions and poor hygiene at venues are deterring international athletes and affecting the training of budding domestic sportspersons. Nikhil Naz points out that while international players voice concerns, Indian athletes often remain silent due to fear of social media trolling or administrative backlash. The report raises critical questions about India's preparedness for major upcoming events like the World Championships and the Olympics.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the critical environmental challenges facing India as it enters 2026. The report highlights the growing conflict between political interests and ecological preservation, questioning if clean air and water will remain elusive dreams. It details alarming incidents from late 2025, including a deadly fire at a Goa nightclub built in a no-development zone and severe pollution in Delhi that marred a visit by football legend Lionel Messi. The programme also covers the public outcry over mining in the Aravalli Hills and the subsequent Supreme Court intervention. As the speaker notes, 'India lacks a cohesive and empowered green policy that its politicians adhere to.' The report concludes with a call for a unified political will to tackle climate change and ensure a sustainable future.
This edition of To The Point details Delhi's severe pollution crisis, with Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologising but stating it is 'impossible' to resolve the air quality issue in under a year.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a face mask as dense fog blanketed the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, delaying the toss in the fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow.
As the Deepam controversy escalated, MPs from the DMK-led INDIA bloc submitted an impeachment motion against Madras High Court Justice G.R. Swaminathan to Lok Sabha Speaker.
Team India's finest, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya received a rousing response as they returned to the Mumbai airport following their triumph at the Asia Cup, downing Pakistan to win the title.
In the cricket final between India and Pakistan, a key development is Hardik Pandya's injury, leading to his replacement by Rinku Singh. This has prompted a significant strategic shift, with India entering the match with only one specialist fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. On India Today, World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh analysed the decision, stating, “I would have liked to see Arshadip along with Jasprit Bumrah, to be honest.” He pointed out that India's win of the toss and decision to chase is a crucial advantage that helps compensate for the altered bowling lineup. The discussion also covered captain Suryakumar Yadav's inconsistent form, the pitch conditions favouring a lower score, and Harbhajan's prediction of an Indian victory.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh feels Pakistan is no match for India after their crushing seven-wicket defeat against the Men in Blue in the Asia Cup 2025. India chased down the target of 129 in 15.5 overs against the arch-rivals and dedicated their resounding victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the Indian armed forces,
Cricket fans in Kolkata performed a yajna, expressing their desire for India to defeat Pakistan in the Asia Cup match on Sunday. This came against the backdrop of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. One individual stated, 'We want to hit them each and every area, be it a border area, be it a playground.'
Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Will Jacks has thanked captain Hardik Pandya and head coach Mahela Jayawardene for instilling confidence in his bowling. Jacks has been handy with the ball in the ongoing IPL 2025 having scalped six wickets from seven innings.
MI coach Kieron Pollard heaped praise on Hardik Pandya for his comeback in IPL 2025 after being criticised and trolled last season after assuming the captaincy of the team. Pollard said that Hardik is enjoying his cricket at the moment.
Nita Ambani was approached by a passionate fan who requested that Rohit Sharma be reinstated as Mumbai Indians' captain.
India and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Deepak Chahar feels that individual performances are happening for their team but they're not able to pull off a collective performance. Mumbai have lost four out of five matches so far and will next take on Delhi Capitals on April 13 at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
As Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 16 of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), we asked AI to predict the winner of the mouth-watering clash.
Mumbai Indians' (MI) wicketkeeper batter Ryan Rickelton said that their captain Hardik Pandya, had asked the entire team to raise the intensity ahead of their fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). MI beat Kolkata by 8 wickets to register first win of the season.
Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult is unfazed by the rocky start made by the batters after their loss to Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday, March 29. The MI batters have struggled to make an impact so far.
IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav's Mumbai Indians (MI) reached Chennai on Thursday night before their opening game against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings on March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Champions Trophy, IND vs NZ: Varun Chakravarthy shone for India, picking up a five-wicket haul against New Zealand. Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to india Today, backed his selection for the semi-final, saying Hardik Pandya as the second seamer is a good enough option for India.
