India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was celebrated across the country with excitement and pride. However, one moment from the post-match celebrations has unexpectedly become the center of online debate.
Model Mahieka Sharma, who is currently dating Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya, found herself trending on social media after joining him on the field during the celebrations at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. A video showing the couple sharing a hug and a kiss quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from fans online.
While some people celebrated the couple’s joyful moment, others criticised the public display of affection. But Mahieka Sharma has now responded to the backlash in her own way, making it clear that the trolling has not affected her.
India’s T20 World Cup Victory Celebration Turns Viral
India defeated New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on March 8, leading to massive celebrations inside the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
As players and fans celebrated the historic win, cameras captured several emotional moments on the field. Among them was Hardik Pandya celebrating with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma.
In the viral videos circulating online, Mahieka can be seen walking onto the field shortly after the match ended. She hugged Hardik warmly and kissed him on the cheek while congratulating him on the big victory.
The couple also walked across the field together while holding hands as celebrations continued around them.
While many fans found the moment sweet and natural, a section of social media users criticised the couple for showing affection publicly during a national sporting event.
Mahieka Sharma Reacts to Social Media Trolls
Despite the online criticism, Mahieka Sharma appears to be handling the situation with confidence and humour.
On March 13, she addressed the trolling through her Instagram Stories. Instead of directly responding to critics, she chose to share a meme that was circulating online.
The meme featured a humorous message that read: “Jaa tu, Mahieka jitna luck mere zindagi mein aana,” which roughly translates to someone wishing they had the same luck as Mahieka.
The image showed a man folding his hands in front of a woman, implying admiration or envy.
Mahieka reshared the meme and added a short caption: “Never settle.”
Her response seemed to suggest that she was not bothered by the negativity and instead wanted to send a message about confidence and self-worth.
Many fans interpreted the post as a subtle way of shutting down the criticism while embracing the lighter side of internet jokes.
The Viral Moment Between Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma
The video that sparked the online debate shows Mahieka running onto the field moments after India secured the victory.
She greeted Hardik Pandya with a warm hug before planting a quick kiss on his cheek. The couple looked visibly emotional and happy as they celebrated the win together.
For Hardik, the victory was particularly meaningful as he played an important role in India’s World Cup campaign.
The celebrations continued as players, support staff and families joined the team on the field to mark the historic achievement.
However, in the age of social media, even small moments can quickly become major talking points.
Within hours, clips of the couple’s celebration were being widely shared across platforms, triggering both support and criticism.
Hardik Pandya Remains Silent Amid the Controversy
While Mahieka Sharma responded indirectly to the trolls, Hardik Pandya has chosen not to comment on the situation publicly.
The cricketer has remained silent despite the ongoing discussion online.
Hardik is known for keeping his personal life relatively private, even though he occasionally shares glimpses of it on social media.
His focus in recent days has largely remained on the team’s World Cup victory and the celebrations surrounding it.
Legal Complaint Filed Over Flag Controversy
Apart from the trolling over the celebration video, Hardik Pandya has also found himself facing another controversy related to the post-match celebrations.
A Pune-based advocate has reportedly filed a complaint with the police, accusing the cricketer of disrespecting the Indian national flag during the celebrations.
According to the complaint, several videos from the victory celebrations have been circulating on social media.
In one of the clips, Hardik can be seen celebrating with the Indian Tricolour draped over his shoulders while dancing and running around the field.
The complainant claims that during the celebrations, Hardik was also seen lying on the stage while the national flag remained wrapped around him.
The advocate argues that this act could be considered disrespectful towards the flag.
As of now, the matter remains under discussion and no official action has been confirmed.
Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma’s Relationship
Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma reportedly began dating in 2025.
Mahieka is a 25-year-old model and aspiring actor who has gradually gained attention on social media.
Earlier this year, Hardik publicly confirmed their relationship by sharing a heartfelt birthday message for Mahieka on Instagram.
The post was widely noticed by fans and media outlets, marking the couple’s first public acknowledgment of their relationship.
Since then, Mahieka has been seen attending several of Hardik’s matches and supporting him during major tournaments.
Throughout the T20 World Cup campaign, she was frequently spotted in the stands cheering for the Indian team.
Mahieka’s Growing Social Media Presence
Mahieka Sharma has also been gaining popularity online, especially after the recent viral moment.
Her social media profiles have attracted increased attention from fans curious to know more about her.
As a model and aspiring actor, she regularly shares fashion photoshoots, lifestyle posts and glimpses of her personal life.
The recent controversy has only added to the public curiosity surrounding her relationship with one of India’s most famous cricketers.
Despite the sudden spotlight, Mahieka appears confident in handling public attention.
Her calm response to trolling suggests she is comfortable navigating the pressures that come with being associated with a high-profile sports personality.
Public Reactions Remain Divided
As often happens with viral moments, public opinion on the situation remains divided.
Some social media users have criticised the couple’s public display of affection during what they consider a national moment.
Others have defended them, saying the celebration was simply an emotional reaction to a major achievement.
Supporters argue that moments of joy and personal celebration are natural after such a significant sporting victory.
They also believe that the criticism directed at Mahieka has been unnecessarily harsh.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the incident highlights how quickly personal moments can become public debates in the digital age.
India’s T20 World Cup victory will remain one of the most memorable sporting moments for fans across the country.
But alongside the celebrations, the viral clip of Hardik Pandya and Mahieka Sharma has added another unexpected chapter to the story.
While online reactions continue to pour in, Mahieka’s confident response suggests she is not letting the negativity affect her.
Instead, she appears to be embracing the attention with humour and self-assurance.
As the celebrations continue and the controversy fades, the focus will likely return to India’s remarkable achievement on the cricket field.
