Top 4 controversial facts about Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is one of the best all-rounders in international cricket currently. In his eight-year service to Team India, he has achieved a lot of success, utilising his sensational cricketing talent. Apart from the international circuit, he is also one of the star players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2022, he guided the debutant Gujarat Titans (GT) to a title victory and became the seventh captain to win the trophy in the cash-rich tournament.

During his scintillating career, the 30-year-old has grabbed attention for his cricketing performances numerous times but along with that, he often becomes controversy’s favourite child. In his vast international career, there are incidents to recount when he hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. Discussing more, let’s know some controversial facts related to the India all-rounder.

Here are some controversial facts related to Hardik Pandya:

4. Captaincy condition for return to MI

Before the 2024 IPL auction in Dubai, there were talks that Hardik might return to his old franchise Mumbai Indians (MI). Following the business event, MI traded Hardik from Gujarat Titans (GT) for a hefty sum of INR 15 crore. According to the media, there were reports that Pandya had kept a condition in front of the MI team management that he would only return to the five-time champion side if the captaincy mantle was handed to him.

Following the successful trade, Mumbai appointed Hardik as captain which led to Rohit Sharma’s removal from the leadership post. MI’s move fumed Rohit’s supporters and the India skipper’s supporters vented out their anger on Hardik Pandya and the MI team management. 

3. Use of derogatory language against Mohammed Shami in 2022

In the 2022 IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT) in Navi Mumbai, Hardik was seen using cuss words against his senior colleague Mohammed Shami. In the second innings of the game, SRH were heading towards the target of 163 smoothly, riding on the partnership between Kane Williamson and Rahul Tripathi.

It was the 13th over when Pandya expressed his anger against Shami, who failed to grab the catching opportunity against Tripathi while fielding at third man. The pacer’s fielding mistake irked Pandya, who failed to control his emotions and used foul words against him. Following Pandya’s act, several social media users schooled him and said the India all-rounder should learn to respect his senior colleagues.  

2. Shoving Lasith Malinga away in the 2024 IPL

Following MI’s 31-run loss against SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the 2024 IPL, when players met one another for a handshake, Hardik was seen allegedly pushing Lasith Malinga. The video of Hardik and Malinga went viral on social media and several MI fans questioned Pandya’s rapport with the Sri Lanka legend.

Along with the post-match video, another clip went viral on social media sites, in which Malinga was seen leaving a chair for Pandya. The MI captain received criticism due to the viral video as several fans also accused the 30-year-old of disrespecting Malinga by not stopping him from leaving the chair.  

1. Infamous Koffee With Karan episode

In January 2019, an episode of Koffee With Karan was aired in which Hardik along with his India teammate KL Rahul featured. In the chat show, Pandya made some derogatory remarks about women, and following his comments, he had to receive flak on social media.

After the controversy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned him and Rahul, and they were also instructed to leave the Team India camp in Australia and return home. He also received a show-cause notice from the BCCI, and in response to it, Pandya released an apology and assured the board of not repeating such an act.