[WATCH] Hardik Pandya Blows Flying Kiss After Scoring 23-Ball Fifty Against Zimbabwe

Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya blew a flying kiss to his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma after producing a brilliant half-century in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. Off the final delivery of India’s innings, Hardik launched a one-handed six over backward square leg to reach his fifty in emphatic fashion.

Mahieka, present in the stands, was visibly thrilled and applauded his effort. After acknowledging the crowd by raising his bat, Hardik also gestured a flying kiss towards her. You can watch the video here:

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲𝐚. 🤌

A breathtaking burst at the death by him, powered #TeamIndia past 250 with authority! 🙌

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup 👉 SUPER 8, #INDvZIM | LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/vIdZg7mGmy pic.twitter.com/LazrvENuz8

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 26, 2026

Promoted to number five in the batting order, Hardik Pandya hammered an unbeaten 50 off just 23 deliveries. His explosive innings featured two fours and four towering sixes, registering a remarkable strike rate of 217.39.

It marked his second half-century of the T20 World Cup 2026, having earlier struck 52 off 28 balls against Namibia in the group stage. Hardik has been a key contributor with the bat in the tournament, amassing 155 runs in six matches at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 161.45.

During the T20 World Cup 2026 on 26 February 2026, Hardik Pandya’s “dance” was a viral on-field celebration during India’s Super Eight victory over Zimbabwe. You can watch the video here:

Hardik Pandya.😂🙏 pic.twitter.com/bV7lhECiFt

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 26, 2026

Hardik Pandya propels India to record-breaking total in T20 World Cup 2026

After Hardik Pandya’s breathtaking half-century, India piled up a massive 256/4, the highest total recorded in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far. It also stands as India’s highest-ever score in the tournament and the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history overall.

Hardik stitched together a superb late partnership with Tilak Varma, with the pair smashing 84 runs in just 31 deliveries to provide a stunning finish. Earlier, Abhishek Sharma laid a strong foundation with a brisk 55 off 30 balls at the top. Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) also chipped in with valuable contributions.

Tilak remained unbeaten on 44 from just 16 balls, striking three fours and four sixes at an extraordinary strike rate of 275, complementing Hardik perfectly at the other end. In a must-win encounter, India’s batting unit came out firing and dismantled Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.

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