Hardik Pandya kissing Mahieka Sharma with India flag on sparks row; FIR filed for insulting national flag

India is still basking in the success of its victory at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. It's been over 4 days, and social media is still rejoicing the winning moments. Several photos and videos of Team India dancing at the Narendra Modi Stadium have gone viral. But while fans continue to replay the final moments of the match, it seems like netizens' and social media's attention has shifted elsewhere.

This time, the spotlight isn't on captain Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, or Jasprit Bumrah, India's national treasure, but on Hardik Pandya and his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma. The couple, truly, madly, deeply in love, didn't shy away from PDA on feild. Their hugs, kisses, and dances is all over Twitter and Instagram feeds.

In many candid moments, Hardik is seen draping the Indian national flag around his shoulders while embracing Mahieka. One clip, however, sparked outrage online: it shows Hardik and Mahieka lying together on the podium, with Hardik leaning in as if to kiss her but stopping just short. Other photos have gone viral showing the couple locking lips.

Netizens criticised Hardik's gestures, pointing out that many Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag, have maintained professionalism while celebrating wins. In contrast, Hardik's actions were seen as crossing a line, with some claiming the stadium felt more like his personal bedroom than a public space.

'Lying...wearing the national flag': Pune-based advocate files police complaint against India cricketer Hardik Pandya

Amid ongoing debate, a Pune-based lawyer filed a complaint against Hardik for allegedly disrespecting the national flag, leading to an FIR. Advocate Wajid Khan filed the complaint at the Shivaji Nagar Police Station, alleging that Pandya draped the national flag around himself while celebrating intimately with Mahieka after India's victory over New Zealand.

"You must have seen the T20 World Cup celebrations. Hardik Pandya was dancing with his girlfriend while the national flag was tied to his back. According to Section 2 of the 1971 National Flag Act, we should respect the dignity of the flag. However, Hardik was so lost in celebration that he was lying with his girlfriend while wearing it. I believe this is an insult to the national flag," Khan told ANI.

Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya's alleged rift

Apart from the FIR, eagle-eyed netizens also noticed the silence of Krunal Pandya and Pankhuri Pandya, who have always been supportive of Hardik. Unlike previous celebrations, neither Krunal nor his wife shared congratulatory posts this time. Fans began speculating after noticing Krunal's absence from Hardik's recent posts and from the stadium during the World Cup matches.

Attention at the stadium, instead, shifted to Mahieka Sharma, who was seen attending multiple matches and spending time with Hardik's son, Agastya. After India's win, Hardik publicly acknowledged her support, calling her his lucky charm. "Since Mahieka has come into my life, I have only been winning," he reportedly said during post-match celebrations.

About Hardik and Natasa's divorce

Hardik divorced Natasa in July 2024. According to social media discussions, Krunal and Pankhuri have remained close to Natasa and Agastya, leading fans to speculate that the brothers may now be moving in different personal circles. However, these claims remain unconfirmed by the family and largely originate from online chatter.