Hardik Pandya snubs Krunal Pandya, credits girlfriend Mahieka Sharma for 'great things' in his life

Hardik Pandya, the star Indian all-rounder and the Player of the match from the Cuttack T20I, expressed how injuries have posed a mental challenge to him and has thanked his loved ones who have helped him to get through tough times. Pandya specially mentioned his partner for all the wonderful things happening in his life.

Hardik Pandya made his return to international cricket after two months of absence following an injury during the Asia Cup 2025. With an injured quadriceps, Pandya was snubbed from India's tour to Australia and also the ODI leg of the South Africa series.

Pandya made his return with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Baroda and showed an all-round dominance. He went on to score a breathtaking 77 and also bowled a match-winning spell in the other. The all-rounder was then quickly picked for the South Africa T20Is, where his performance ran the show for India.

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Hardik Pandya reveals the biggest motivation of his life

Pandya not only returned to the field but also rang the bells for his arrival in the shortest format of the game. Pandya dominated the Proteas with the bat as he fired in with a 28-ball 59-run innings. He then went on to dismiss David Miller as his only wicket in the game.

"You should be a rockstar, you know. You come and perform for 10 minutes, and the crowd goes berserk. I think that has been the biggest motivation for me," claimed Hardik Pandya on his return.

The Cuttack crowd welcomed Pandya with loud cheers, and after the innings he played, they did not step back from celebrating the Indian all-rounder's return with craze and warmth.

'If you do not believe in yourself, how would others believe in you'

𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿. 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿. 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 Ft. Hardik Pandya#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @hardikpandya7 | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/IL8QRCFaeq

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 10, 2025

"If you do not believe in yourself, how would others believe in you?" - Hardik Pandya on bouncing back in the game

Hardik has truly been challenged several times in his life; the challenges have been in his personal life as well as in his professional life as a cricketer. Pandya has had to face criticism as well as miss out on several crucial junctures for India.

"Life has always thrown a lot of lemons at me; I have always thought of making lemonade. I have always believed that if you do not believe in yourself, how would others believe in you?" Pandya showed a clear reflection of self-belief.

"My mindset was always really about coming back stronger, bigger, and better. Every time I walk in, I feel like the crowd is just waiting; they have come in for this moment to watch me bat. For that, I have stood strong and done a lot of things with grace, and that has helped me to become even more confident and back myself," he added.

"I really trust my skillset and believe in myself as a player. You know, injuries kind of test you mentally and at the same time, they put a lot of doubts. A lot of credit goes to the loved ones which I had."

"Special mention to my partner as well, she's been nothing but the best to me since she has entered my life, and a lot of great things have happened since she entered my life," Pandya said, thanking his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, for her unwavering support.

"Bigger, Bolder and Better will be my motto from now on" - Hardik

Pandya also reflected that his virtue of character as a person has often helped him to emerge as a better cricketer. He added that now he just wants to enjoy his game and make the best of his career.

"I think I have been a very honest and a very real person in my life as well. I don't think I often sugarcoat a lot of things in my life. It's never about how others think of you; it's always about how I feel."

"Now it's a time where Hardik Pandya just wants to play the sport and enjoy every second on the ground, and bigger and better will be the motto in my life," Hardik Pandya concluded.

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