Why Hardik Pandya's Trophy Antics Sparked Outrage Among Fans

Hardik Pandya's recent antics with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy have ignited a wave of criticism on social media. After India's victory, Pandya was seen mimicking a popular pose while holding the trophy, leading to accusations of hogging the moment from his teammates. Fans expressed their discontent, recalling similar behavior during past celebrations. This article delves into the reactions and controversies surrounding Pandya's actions, highlighting the divide among cricket enthusiasts regarding his conduct during such significant moments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 9, 2026, 19:39 IST

Controversy Surrounds Hardik Pandya's Trophy Celebration

Ahmedabad: Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, has come under fire on social media after he was spotted mimicking the famous ‘Khaby Lame’ pose with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy. This incident brought back memories of his previous viral moment with the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy.

Following India's victory at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Pandya was seen celebrating with the trophy. Some fans accused him of taking the trophy from captain Suryakumar Yadav immediately after it was awarded, monopolizing the moment while other teammates awaited their turn.

Additionally, there were claims that he paraded around the field with the trophy alongside his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma.

The situation ignited a flurry of reactions online. One user commented, “All this drama and fuss by Hardik to recreate that same viral photo… meanwhile, players like Shivam Dube didn’t even get a chance to touch the trophy as this leech wouldn’t let go for youngsters like Ishan, Abhishek, Tilak, and Rinku.”

Another user expressed disappointment, stating, “THIS IS NOT GOOD HARDIK PANDYA. When Surya lifted the trophy, Hardik immediately grabbed it and started posing for about 10 minutes. He then walked around with the trophy while other players were still waiting for their turn.”

Some users even dug up old footage from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 celebrations, suggesting that Pandya had exhibited similar behavior back then. One user remarked, “Hardik has this bad habit of hogging the trophy. Even during the CT, Kohli and Rohit called him for a group picture, but he ignored them. They eventually took off their blazers.”