When Hardik Pandya, Indian cricketer for Mumbai Indians posted a series of sunny vacation snaps on Instagram, fans immediately recognized the woman beside him – model Mahieka Sharma. The pictures, released on October 10, 2025 at 18:04 GMT+05:30, were the couple’s first public confirmation of a relationship that had been buzzing on social media for weeks.
Background: From Airport Glance to Instagram Reveal
The romance officially sparked on October 9, 2025, when the pair were spotted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Pandya, 31, and Sharma, 24, arrived in matching black ensembles – he in a sleek jacket and trousers, she bundled up in a black puffer jacket. According to eyewitnesses on India Forums, Pandya shielded Sharma from the paparazzi, a gesture that quickly went viral.
That evening, Pandya’s Instagram Stories showed the duo on a seaside birthday getaway. One frame captured them gazing at the ocean, Sharma in a breezy shirt dress over a swimsuit, while Pandya lounged in shorts. A second story featured Sharma in a black leather mini‑dress, with Pandya sprinkling evil‑eye emojis underneath – a playful nod that his fans adored.
Who Is Mahieka Sharma? A Rapid Rise in Indian Fashion
Sharma isn’t just a pretty face; she’s one of the most sought‑after models in India today. An international graduate, she has graced the covers of ELLE India and Grazia India, and nabbed the Model of the Year award at the Indian Fashion Awards. Her portfolio includes high‑profile campaigns for Tanishq (the Tata Group’s jewellery arm), Chinese smartphone giant Vivo, and Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo. She’s also walked the ramps of designers like Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra and Anita Dongre.
Her rise has been meteoric – within three years she went from runway newcomer to being dubbed “the fashion industry’s new favourite face” by Times Now News. The timing of her relationship with Pandya, therefore, has turned heads beyond cricket fans, pulling in fashion enthusiasts, brand marketers and everyday Instagram users.
Hardik Pandya’s Recent Personal History
Hardik’s love life has been under the microscope ever since his high‑profile divorce from Serbian model Natasa Stankovic. The couple married in 2020, welcomed son Agastya in July 2020, and even renewed vows in 2023 with both Hindu and Christian ceremonies in Rajasthan. The divorce was finalized in 2024, and social‑media trolls briefly resurfaced, targeting Stankovic after the split.
Between the divorce and this new romance, Pandya was linked to British singer‑songwriter Jasmin Walia during the IPL 2025 season. Rumours flared when Walia was seen cheering for him from the Mumbai Indians team bus – a privilege traditionally reserved for a player’s partner. Their connection fizzled out after they unfollowed one another on Instagram, a detail confirmed by Bollywoodshaadis.com.
Reactions: Fans, Media and the Cricket Fraternity
The response has been a cocktail of excitement and curiosity. Fans quickly coined the nickname “Bhabhi No. 2” for Sharma – a Hindi term meaning “second sister‑in‑law” – reflecting the cultural habit of calling a brother’s wife ‘bhabhi’. Social‑media threads are buzzing with memes, birthday wishes for Pandya and admiration for Sharma’s fashion sense.
Cricket insiders, however, remain tight‑lipped. The Mumbai Indians franchise, while acknowledging Pandya’s on‑field contributions, issued a standard statement that it does not comment on players’ private matters. Even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stayed out of the conversation, focusing instead on the upcoming IPL schedule.
Fashion media has taken a different angle, spotlighting Sharma’s influence on Pandya’s style. Observers noted that the leopard‑printed robe she wore in a previous Instagram story mirrored Pandya’s jersey number “33”, a subtle nod that fans interpreted as an early hint of their bond.
Why This Matters: Celebrity Culture, Sports and Brand Synergy
At first glance, a cricketer dating a model might seem like ordinary celebrity fodder. Yet the coupling merges two powerful Indian industries – cricket, the nation’s most beloved sport, and fashion, a fast‑growing sector with global ambitions. Brands like Tanishq and Vivo now have a direct line to both sports fans and fashion shoppers, potentially amplifying cross‑promotional campaigns.
Moreover, the age gap – seven years – has sparked conversations about dating norms in Indian society. While the age difference is modest by global standards, the public discussion underscores how celebrity relationships can influence social attitudes, especially among younger audiences who idolize both cricket stars and runway icons.
What’s Next? Upcoming Matches, Vacations and Possible Public Appearances
Hardik is set to feature in the next round of the IPL, where he’ll lead the Mumbai Indians against rivals like Chennai Super Kings. Whether Sharma will join him at the stadium remains to be seen; the team’s policy of keeping personal lives private suggests that any public sighting would be purely accidental.
Both parties have hinted at more collaborative content – Sharma’s fashion sense could land her in campaign shoots that feature Pandya, while Pandya’s charismatic personality might see him cameo in upcoming brand videos for Vivo or Uniqlo. Keep an eye on their Instagram feeds; the next story could be a joint promotional post rather than a vacation snap.
Historical Perspective: Celebrity Pairings in Indian Cricket
Hardik isn’t the first cricketer to tie the knot with a model. Legends like former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni married former Miss India Sushmita Singh in 2010, while former England star Kevin Pietersen dated fashion designer Irina Shayk. Each partnership has, in its own way, sparked media frenzies that extended beyond the boundary rope.
What sets the Pandya‑Sharma pairing apart is the digital era’s immediacy. Within 24 hours of the airport spotting, Instagram stories, memes and news articles erupted – a speed that would have been unimaginable a decade ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this relationship affect Hardik Pandya’s cricket performance?
There’s no concrete evidence that a personal relationship directly changes on‑field stats. However, Pandya has spoken about feeling “rejuvenated” after his birthday vacation, and early season form will ultimately be judged by his runs and wickets.
Will Mahieka Sharma appear in any Mumbai Indians promotional material?
The franchise has not confirmed any joint campaigns yet, but given Sharma’s fashion clout, a brand‑aligned promo – perhaps for Tanishq or Uniqlo – would be a logical next step.
What sparked the public speculation about the couple before the Instagram post?
Fans noticed Sharma wearing leopard‑printed robes that matched Pandya’s “33” jersey number and posting the numeral on her fingers. Those subtle cues, combined with their frequent proximity at events, fueled rumors on platforms like Bollywoodshaadis.com.
How have Indian fans reacted to the seven‑year age gap?
Reactions are mixed. Younger fans largely celebrate the pairing as a modern love story, while some traditional observers comment on the age difference, labeling it “unusual” for Indian celebrity couples. Nevertheless, most agree the couple looks happy.
What’s the timeline for upcoming events involving the duo?
After the Instagram reveal on October 10, 2025, Pandya returns to IPL action on October 15. Sharma’s next public appearance is expected at a fashion week event in Delhi later this month, where she may be spotted supporting Pandya’s team.