On November 15, Hardik Pandya found himself in another controversy as he returned to India after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in UAE. There were reports that Pandya was caught with two expensive watches worth Rs 5 crores by the customs. However, the all-rounder has clarified in a statement via Twitter that the watches were worth Rs 1.5 crore and not Rs 5 crore like it had been wrongfully reported earlier.
“I had voluntarily declared all the items that I lawfully purchased from Dubai and was ready to pay whatever duties that needed to be paid,” Pandya wrote in the statement.
The Baroda all-rounder also said that he has confirmed to pay the custom duties for the expensive watches he bought in Dubai after the customs department is done doing the valuation.
“As a matter of fact, the customs department had asked for all purchase documents which were submitted; however customs is doing proper valuation for duty which I have already confirmed to pay,” he added.
Upon arrival, it was reported that a Patek Phillippe Nautilus Platinum 5711, a luxurious platinum watch which costs in eight figure mark was found in the player’s luggage.
After a dismal run in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2021 where India were knocked out of the Super 12 stage, Pandya has been dropped/rested from the T20I series against New Zealand starting on November 17. In-form IPL 2021 sensation Venkatesh Iyer is expected to play as a batting all-rounder against the Kiwis.
