New Delhi/Mumbai: Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and his estranged wife, Natasa Stankovic, have announced their separation, citing it as being in the “best interest for the both of us” after four years of marriage. The pair announced their decision to split with mutual consent in a joint Instagram statement on Thursday. The couple said they will keep sharing custody of their three-year-old son, Agastya.
“After four years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways,” the cricketer wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday. “We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest of both of us.
“This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect, and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family,” the statement read.
“We are blessed with Agastya, who will continue to be at the centre of both our lives and we will co-parent to ensure that we give him everything that we can for his happiness. We sincerely request your support and understanding to give us privacy during this difficult and sensitive time,” said the post on Instagram, which they jointly issued.
Hardik married Natasa, a Serbian dancer, model, and Bollywood actress based in Mumbai, on May 31, 2020. They exchanged vows twice—once through Hindu rituals and once in a Christian ceremony.
Though the announcement came on Thursday, their strained relations have been the subject of media discussion for the last few months. The writing became clear on the wall once Natasa removed Hardik’s photographs from her Instagram wall and did not congratulate him for his good performances during the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The divorce kind of brings to full circle file for the India all-rounder, who has endured troubled times since suffering a serious injury during the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune. Hardik returned to action just before the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), but his troubles did not end as his decision to leave Gujarat Titans and join Mumbai Indians.
However, the negative impact generated by Mumbai Indians’ decision to dethrone Rohit Sharma and make Pandya captain of the side added to his woes. Poor form exacerbated the all-rounder’s problems.
Though Pandya made it to the Indian team, he lost his vice-captaincy. He gained back the support of Indian cricket fans with some solid performances during the T20 World Cup 2024, which included bowling a superb last over in the final against South Africa that helped India win the title.
Hardik, a bit flamboyant in his life, was recently felicitated and celebrated by his fans when he returned to his hometown, Vadodara, with around 3.5 lakh supporters packing the streets for a victory parade.
But the announcement of his divorce soon after the World Cup high has proved that Hardik can’t catch a break. It’s not easy to be Hardik Pandya.
Natasa is currently in her native Serbia.
— IANS
