When Hardik Pandya, the 31‑year‑old all‑rounder for the Indian national cricket team, stepped off the plane at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on October 10, 2025, he wasn’t alone. Beside him stood Mahieka Sharma, a 24‑year‑old Delhi‑born model whose face has graced the covers of ELLE and Grazia. The pair, dressed head‑to‑toe in matching black, made what looks like a deliberate statement: their romance was now public, and the world was invited to watch.
How the airport sighting unfolded
The timing was uncanny – 8:24 PM UTC, just after the IPL 2025 season had wrapped up. Fans scrolling through Instagram Stories saw Pandya post a short video of the couple walking side‑by‑side, the caption reading simply, “Together”. The video, later shared by a handful of close friends, sparked a frenzy of tweets and memes. Within minutes, the hashtag #PandyaSharma trended across India.
According to a report by BollywoodShaadis.com (author Anwesha Dash), this was the first confirmed public appearance of the duo. The outlet noted that rumors had been swirling since September, when a leopard‑print robe and a “33” ring – Pandya’s jersey number – appeared in Sharma’s Instagram story.
Mahieka Sharma’s rise in Indian fashion
Sharma isn’t just a pretty face; she’s a bona fide fashion force. After graduating from an international university – a detail highlighted by Times Now News – she entered the modelling circuit in 2021. By 2023, she had walked for designers like Manish Malhotra and Anita Dongre, landing the Model of the Year award at the Indian Fashion Awards in 2024.
Brands such as Tanishq, Vivo, and Uniqlo have featured her in high‑profile campaigns. Her ability to blend traditional Indian silhouettes with contemporary streetwear has earned her a spot on the editorial calendars of both domestic and international magazines.
Hardik Pandya’s personal life after divorce
Pandya’s love life has been a staple of headlines since his 2020 marriage to Serbian model Natasa Stankovic. The couple welcomed a son, Agastya, that same year and even renewed their vows in 2023 – a rare joint Hindu‑Christian ceremony. Yet the marriage unraveled, finalising in a 2024 divorce that was covered extensively by Indian media.
Following the split, Pandya was briefly linked to British singer Jasmin Walia during the IPL 2025 season. Walia was spotted cheering from the Mumbai Indians’ team bus, a privilege usually reserved for spouses. However, the romance fizzled as the two unfollowed each other on social platforms, according to sources close to the cricketer.
Now, with Sharma, the age gap of seven years has become a talking point, but both seem unfazed. In his Instagram story, Pandya wrote, “Found my person,” a line that resonated with fans who have followed his ups and downs on and off the pitch.
Public reaction and media coverage
The reaction was immediate and polarized. Supporters praised the couple’s coordinated style – Pandya’s black jacket paired with Sharma’s matching puffer – calling it “effortlessly chic”. Critics questioned the timing, noting that the couple announced their bond during the lead‑up to Karwa Chauth, a festival traditionally celebrating married women.
Major outlets – Times of India, Times Now News, and BollywoodShaadis.com – ran parallel stories, each emphasizing different angles: Pandya’s post‑divorce resurgence, Sharma’s fashion credentials, and the overall spectacle of celebrity culture in India.
Social‑media analytics from a local monitoring firm showed a 42 % spike in searches for “Hardik Pandya girlfriend” within two hours of the Instagram post. The same firm reported that engagement on Sharma’s personal Instagram page jumped from an average of 1,200 likes per post to over 9,500 within the day.
What’s next for the couple?
Both have busy calendars. Pandya is slated to join the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 series against Australia, while Sharma is expected to debut on the runway for the Spring‑Summer 2026 collection of Tarun Tahiliani. Sources close to the pair say they are handling the limelight together, coordinating outfits for public events and keeping personal moments off‑camera.
Industry insiders suggest that this partnership could open collaborative doors – perhaps a joint endorsement with a lifestyle brand that bridges sports and fashion. Whether the couple stays together for the long haul remains to be seen, but for now, they’ve turned a simple airport encounter into a headline‑making moment.
- Key Facts
- Date of public appearance: October 10, 2025
- Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
- Age gap: 7 years (Hardik 31, Mahieka 24)
- First Instagram confirmation posted by Hardik Pandya the same evening
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Hardik Pandya confirm his relationship with Mahieka Sharma?
Hardik posted a short Instagram Story at 9 PM IST showing the couple walking hand‑in‑hand at the Mumbai airport, captioned simply “Together”. The story was later shared by several friends, turning the private moment into a public announcement.
What are Mahieka Sharma’s major achievements in fashion?
Sharma has appeared on the covers of ELLE and Grazia, won the Model of the Year award at the 2024 Indian Fashion Awards, and walked for designers such as Manish Malhotra, Anita Dongre, and Tarun Tahiliani. She’s also fronted campaigns for Tanishq, Vivo, and Uniqlo.
How did the public react to the couple’s airport appearance?
Social media lit up with praise for their coordinated outfits and curiosity about the age gap. While many fans celebrated the romance, a vocal segment questioned the timing, noting it coincided with the Karwa Chauth festival.
When exactly did the sighting occur?
The couple was photographed at approximately 8:24 PM UTC on October 10, 2025, as they arrived at the international terminal of Mumbai’s main airport.
What do experts say about celebrity relationships in India?
Cultural analysts note that Indian celebrities often face heightened scrutiny, especially when entering new relationships after high‑profile break‑ups. They suggest that strategic public appearances, like the airport sighting, help control the narrative and engage fans before rumors spiral.
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