India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was involved in a tense encounter following a Christmas dinner, but he won praise for his calm demeanour. The incident took place as Pandya was leaving a restaurant after a holiday celebration with his girlfriend, Maheika Sharma. Despite the late hour, a crowd of fans had gathered outside, and Pandya took the time to patiently pose for several selfies before attempting to reach his vehicle.
Hardik Pandya shows maturity, ignores abusive fan after selfie denial
The atmosphere turned sour when one fan, unable to get close enough for a photo due to the surging crowd and security detail, lost his temper. In a moment of visible frustration, the individual shouted a derogatory remark, "Bhaad mein jao" (go to hell), at the cricketer. Despite the public nature of the insult, Pandya remained entirely unfazed, refusing to engage with the heckler.
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Whether the star all-rounder simply didn't hear the comment over the noise of the crowd or made a deliberate choice to take the high road, he maintained his composure throughout. By continuing to his car without a word or a confrontation, Pandya ensured that a potentially ugly scene did not escalate further, choosing instead to focus on his evening and his fans.
Hardik looked in top form in India's recent T20I series victory against South Africa, consistently delivering explosive performances that shifted the momentum in India's favor. In the series opener, he rescued the team from a precarious position by smashing an unbeaten 59 off just 28 deliveries. This aggressive knock not only helped India reach a competitive total but also established a dominant psychological edge that persisted throughout the following matches. The veteran all-rounder saved his most clinical display for the series finale in Ahmedabad, where he unleashed a breathtaking assault on the South African bowlers. Pandya raced to a half-century in just 16 balls, ultimately finishing with 63 runs from 25 deliveries. This feat secured his place in the record books as the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, trailing only Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 12-ball milestone. His late-inning fireworks propelled India to a massive total of 231/5, ensuring a decisive 3-1 series win.