Watch: Hardik Pandya’s Girlfriend Mahieka Sharma Protects His Son From Paparazzi At Wankhede Stadium
Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma went viral after fiercely protecting his son Agastya from paparazzi at the MI vs KKR IPL 2026 match at Wankhede Stadium.
The high-octane atmosphere of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 isn't just limited to the boundaries and wickets on the field. On Sunday night, Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium became the backdrop for a heartwarming off-field moment that has since taken social media by storm. As Mumbai Indians (MI) clashed with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), it was Mahieka Sharma, the girlfriend of MI captain Hardik Pandya, who grabbed headlines for her protective gesture towards Hardik’s son, Agastya.
ALSO READ | Watch: Hardik Pandya's Son Agastya Gets Frustrated After His Father's Dismissal, Mahieka Sharma Comforts Him
Following Mumbai Indians’ thrilling victory, Mahieka Sharma was spotted exiting the stadium hand-in-hand with five-year-old Agastya. As the duo approached their vehicle, they were immediately swarmed by a sea of paparazzi and flashing cameras. In a series of videos that have now gone viral, the 25-year-old model is seen taking charge of the situation to ensure the young boy’s comfort.
Check out the viral moment here:
Mahieka Sharna was heard firmly yet politely requesting the photographers to lower their equipment. “No flash, no flash. Agastya hai saath mein,” she told the crowd. As the camera flashes continued to illuminate the night, she was seen shielding Agastya’s eyes with her hands and asserting, “No lights please, sir, disturb ho raha hai usko.” She continued to guide him through the scrum, repeatedly asking for a clear path: “Thoda side please, Agastya ke saath hoon,” and “Please rasta dijiye, samne koi nahi ayega.”
ALSO READ | Watch: Hardik Pandya, Mahieka Sharma Share Adorable On-Field Moment After India’s T20 World Cup Win
The internet has been quick to praise Mahieka’s instinctive and motherly care. Fans have flooded social media with comments lauding her for prioritising the child’s well-being over the media frenzy.
Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma reportedly began dating in 2025, with the cricketer making their relationship Instagram official on her birthday last year. Since then, Mahieka has been a consistent presence in the stands, cheering for Hardik during both international and IPL fixtures.
Agastya is the son of Hardik and his former wife, actress Natasa Stankovic. The pair, who tied the knot in 2020, finalised their divorce in 2024 but have remained committed to co-parenting their son. While Hardik was previously linked to UK singer Jasmin Walia, those rumours subsided after the two reportedly unfollowed each other on social media.
On the cricketing front, the night was equally momentous for Hardik Pandya's squad. Mumbai Indians finally broke a long-standing and somewhat bizarre opening-match jinx that had haunted the franchise since 2012. By defeating KKR by six wickets, MI secured their first season-opening win in 14 years.
Chasing a formidable target of 221, MI’s batting lineup fired on all cylinders. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a blistering 81 off 43 balls, while veteran Rohit Sharma reminded the world of his class with a stunning 78 off 38 deliveries. During his knock, Rohit also surpassed Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs scored against a single IPL opponent.
Hardik Pandya, who finished the match unbeaten on 18, was full of praise for his predecessor. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Hardik described Rohit’s batting as “exceptional” and a “treat” to watch. Earlier in the evening, Shardul Thakur set the tone with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets to earn the Player of the Match honours.
With a historic win in their pocket, the Mumbai Indians camp looks to be in high spirits as they prepare to face the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this coming Saturday.
