Team India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was recently seen introducing his girlfriend Mahika Sharma to head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final. The team assembled at the Mumbai airport to depart for Ahmedabad, where they will face New Zealand in the summit clash.
The Men in Blue have to play the summit clash against New Zealand on Sunday, March 8. They defeated England by seven runs in the semi-finals at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, 5 March. The Indian team scored a total of 253 runs on the board. In reply, England scored 246 runs in 20 overs.
Hardik Pandya introduces girlfriend Mahika Sharma to Gautam Gambhir
Hardik Pandya’s airport interaction made headlines as girlfriends and wives are usually not allowed to accompany players during these major events.
During the routine security check at the airport, Gautam Gambhir was standing just ahead of the couple in the queue. Hardik was seen moving forward holding the hand of his girlfriend Mahika Sharma. After this the all-rounder patted the head coach on the shoulder and introduced his girlfriend to him.
Gambhir hugged her for a while and Mahika was seen congratulating the coach. He then prepared to enter the airport with his boarding pass in hand. Meanwhile, the cameraman present at the spot asked Hardik and Mahika to get photographs taken, which both of them accepted with a smile.
Girlfriends and wives are not allowed to accompany the players. But Pandya is the bad boy in the class, who not only breaks rules but also teases the teacher. pic.twitter.com/zTCeFftlr1
– Gabbar (@GabbarSingh) 7 March 2026
BCCI’s no-family rule for players in T20 World Cup 2026 explained
As per the BCCI’s strict no-family rule, which was re-imposed after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, families are not allowed to stay with players during major tournaments and overseas tours. This specific policy is currently in place for the T20 World Cup as well.
However, the guidelines state that if players wish to take their families along, they are free to make their own arrangements. This includes booking flight tickets and separate hotels entirely at your own expense.
Hardik Pandya has followed this route, traveling in the team bus and arranging for a separate vehicle to travel with Mahika throughout the tournament.
Hardik Pandya shines in T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals
On the field, Hardik Pandya performed brilliantly in all three departments in the semi-final against England in Mumbai. This veteran player played a brilliant inning of 27 runs in just 12 balls.
With the ball, he dismissed Phil Salt with his first ball of the match. He conceded only nine runs in the final over, leaving Shivam Dubey with 29 runs to defend. The all-rounder also hit a brilliant long throw to run out centurion Jacob Bethel in the final over.
Hardik has scored an impressive 199 runs at an average of 28.43 and strike rate of 163.11, which includes two half-centuries. He has also taken eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.79. India will have the opportunity to become the first team to win the tournament thrice and defend the crown.
Also read: Brendon McCullum got Gautam Gambhir treated, will remain the head coach of England despite poor performance.
