Cricket fans' suspicions were confirmed on Thursday, July 18, as Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya announced his separation from wife Natasa Stankovic, ending their four-year marriage. Taking to Instagram, the couple issued a heartfelt statement confirming their decision to co-parent their 3-year-old son, Agastya, despite going their separate ways.
Hardik Pandya's emotional post after divorce with Natasa Stankovic
Hardik put out a heartfelt post on his Instagram handle and wrote:
"After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for the both of us. This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family," Hardik's Instagram post read.
“We are blessed with Agastya, who will continue to be at the centre of both our lives and we will co-parent to ensure that we give him everything that we can for his happiness. We sincerely request your support and understanding to give us the privacy during this difficult and sensitive time,” Hardik further wrote.
Meanwhile, Natasa also shared the same post on her Instagram handle.
Months of speculation swirled around Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic's relationship, fueled further by Natasa removing ‘Pandya’ from her social media handle. Natasa Stankovic indirectly kept on hinting everyone on social media about the possible divorce, urging people for less judgment and more empathy. While their social media presence and public appearances may have fueled speculation, their recent statement has finally put everything to rest. They've chosen to separate but will co-parent their son. Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic's relationship blossomed quickly. They married on May 31, 2020, and their son Agastya arrived just a few months later on July 30. In a grand ceremony filled with love and celebration, they renewed their vows in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on February 14, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
The news broke in right after BCCI announced the India's squad for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, with a notable change in leadership for the T20I format. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as India's T20I captain for the three-match series. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who previously held the vice-captaincy position until the T20 World Cup, won't be seen even in the deputy role. However, Hardik has been rested for the ODI series against Sri Lanak, hence his name was missing from the squad. Reports suggest that fitness concerns played a role in Pandya not being considered for the captaincy. However, he was reportedly informed of this decision beforehand and remains part of the T20I squad under the new captain, Suryakumar Yadav. This will be Pandya's second bilateral T20I series under Yadav's leadership, following Suryakumar's stint as captain in South Africa last year.
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