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 Indiaโs 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:
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ค ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฒ๐. ๐ค
A breathtaking burst at the death by him, powered #TeamIndia past 250 with authority! ๐
ICC Menโs #T20WorldCup ๐ SUPER 8, #INDvZIM | LIVE NOW โก๏ธ https://t.co/vIdZg7mGmy pic.twitter.com/LazrvENuz8
โ 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 Pandyaโs โdanceโ was a viral on-field celebration during Indiaโs Super Eight victory over Zimbabwe. You can watch the video here:
Hardik Pandya.๐๐ pic.twitter.com/bV7lhECiFt
โ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ข๐ขโดโต (@rushiii_12) February 26, 2026
Hardik Pandya propels India to record-breaking total in T20 World Cup 2026
After Hardik Pandyaโs 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 Indiaโs 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, Indiaโs batting unit came out firing and dismantled Zimbabweโs bowling attack.
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