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Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic 'mutually' part ways

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic 'mutually' part ways

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic 'mutually' part ways

Indian all-rounder and T20 World Cup hero Hardik Pandya has separated from his wife Natasa Stankovic. Pandyamade the announcement in apost on his Instagram handle on Thursday (July 18). The postconfirmed the rift between the couplewhich has beena big talking point in recent months. The separation ended the four-year relationship between Pandya and Stankovic who welcomed their son, Agastya in July 2020.

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Hardik Pandya announces separation

“After four years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for 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,” Pandya wrote on his Instagram.

“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 happiness,” he added.

The relationship between the pair was a big talking point in recent months with severalreportsspeculatingabout theirseparation. However, nothing was confirmed until Thursday. The couplewasliving separately in Mumbai with Stankovic spotted at different places without her husband Pandya, fuelling saidspeculations.

During the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, Pandya had hinted at the rift as he was seen emotional after winning the tournament. He spoke on how difficult the last six months had been to him in the build-up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup.

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“It means a lot. Very emotional, we’d been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. Special for me after my six months, I haven’t spoken a word, things have been unfair, but I knew there’d be a time I could shine. An opportunity like this makes it all the more special,” Pandya stated after winning the T20 World Cup.

Earlier in the day, Pandya was also dropped from India’s vice-captain role having been succeded by Shubman Gill. He was the vice-captain of the Indian side during the T20 World Cup but will no longer serve in the role, instead, Gill will take charge in both T20I and ODI formats.

About the Author

Aditya Vidyadhar Pimpale

Parth Seth is a research fellow at India Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, where he studies the themes of development, foreign policy, and multilateralism, particularly in ...Read More