'My heart is full' - Natasa Stankovic hails fiancé Hardik Pandya's blistering century in DY Patil T20 tournament

India and Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya has shown signs of returning to his old self on the field. He is currently playing in the DY Patil T20 Cup and is appearing for the Reliance 1 team. This is his first outing after rehabilitating from his back surgery. He has been out of the game since September of 2019.

Pandya was to be named in the Indian squad for the New Zealand series but was pulled out at the last minute, as the selectors felt that he would not be able to take a load of bowling at his full strength. However, it seems the extra time spent in gym and rehab has worked well for the all-rounder after he was seen smashing sixes at will in the T20 Cup tournament in Navi Mumbai.

In his latest outing, against CAG in a Group C encounter, Hardik Pandya smashed 105 runs in just 39 balls hitting 10 maximums and helped his side reach 252/5 in 20 overs. His strike-rate of 269.23 was undoubtedly the best in the innings and his innings comprised of eight fours as well. He was helped by Anmolpreet Singh’s 51-ball 88 as well.

Pandya then returned to pick a five-wicket haul with the ball and truly was the player that we knew who broke onto the scene for Mumbai Indians a few years back. He will be representing them in upcoming IPL 2020 as well, where they will play CSK in the opening encounter on March 29 in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Hardik Pandya will play a vital role in Mumbai Indians’ IPL campaign

Though there were many fans and experts applauding his innings and overall performance in the match, Hardik got one special praise from a loved one. His fiancée Natasa Stankovic, the well-known model and dancer, shared a photo of Hardik on her Instagram with a text saying “37-ball hundred for Hardik ‘Kung Fu’ Pandya. The deadly hitter is back at work.” Natasa Stankovic added stickers of a roaring lion and ‘my heart is full’ on her Instagram story post.

The duo had gotten engaged on the New Year’s Day 2020 after dating for some time. She has been with him during his recovery days and is expected to cheer him when he takes the field in IPL. However, he is expected to be named in the Indian team which will take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series, which begins from March 12.