India’s swashbuckling all-rounder Hardik Pandya has lashed out at paparazzi for taking photographs and videos of his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma in an appropriate manner. Pandya accused the media personnel for crossing the line in a video recorded outside a Mumbai restaurant that has been making rounds on social media. He labelled it 'cheap sensationalism'.
"I understand that living in the public eye comes with attention and scrutiny, it's part of the life I've chosen. But today something happened that crossed a line," Hardik wrote in an Instagram story on December 9, hours ahead of the first T20I of the five-T20I series against South Africa.
"Mahieka was simply walking down a staircase at a Bandra restaurant when paparazzi decided to capture her from an angle that no woman deserves to be photographed from. A private moment was turned into cheap sensationalism.
"Mahieka was simply walking down a staircase at a Bandra restaurant when paparazzi decided to capture her from an angle that no woman deserves to be photographed from. A private moment was turned into cheap sensationalism.
"To the media brothers who work hard every day: I respect your hustle, and I always cooperate. But I'm requesting you all, please be a little more mindful. Not everything needs to be captured. Not every angle needs to be taken.
"Let's keep some humanity in this game. Thank you."
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Hardik Pandya’s return after injury
Hardik is returning to the international stage after recovering from a quadriceps injury he suffered before the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final. He missed the white-ball tour of Australia and the ODI series against South Africa.
After completing his rehabilitation, the all-rounder warmed up for the T20I series against the Proteas with a couple of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 matches. He was expensive with the ball but announced his return with an unbeaten 77 in Baroda's win over Abhishek Sharma-led Punjab on December 2. Then, he featured in the clash against Gujarat. Baroda bowled them out for 73 and won the game in the seventh over with eight wickets in hand.
The first of the five-T20I series is scheduled to take place at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium. The series is crucial as India look to fine tune their lineup ahead of T20 World Cup 2026. After taking on the Proteas, India will take Kiwis before the mega event as well.