Hardik Pandya and his girlfriend Mahika Sharma are once again in the news. On January 5, Reliance Foundation organized the second edition of ‘United in Triumph’, in which Nita Ambani thanked India’s three World Cup-winning captains on behalf of all Indians. This event was organized to honor the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup winner, Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 winner and the Women’s Blind World Cup winning team.

Hardik-Mahika looted the party

Hardik Pandya had reached this program with his girlfriend, Mahika Sharma. Both were wearing all-black costumes. On one hand, Hardik was wearing a black blazer, black shirt and black pants. Both of them also got a photoshoot done and Hardik did not leave Mahika’s hand during the entire photoshoot.

Hardik Pandya and Mahika Sharma often share pictures together on social media. Recently Mahika was seen having fun with Rohit Sharma’s son, the video of which went viral on social media.

#WATCH Mumbai, Maharashtra , Cricketer Hardik Pandya, along with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, arrives for ‘United in Triumph’, a Reliance Foundation initiative to honor the three Indian World Cup–winning cricket teams- Men’s, Women’s, and Blind Women’s. pic.twitter.com/cC4Ql4zRcB

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2026

What is ‘United in Triumph’?

‘United in Triumph’ is a program where Indian athletes are honored for their achievements, it was started by Nita Ambani. It was organized for the first time in September 2024 at the Ambani family residence ‘Antilia’. At that time, about 140 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from India had gathered at one place.

Talking about Hardik Pandya, he has not been selected in the ODI series against New Zealand. He is included in the Indian squad for T20 World Cup 2026.

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India Squad For IND vs NZ ODI Series: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Team India for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer returned to the team, while Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah did not get a chance. It was already decided that both of them would not get a chance.

In fact, in many media reports that came out earlier, it was told that at present the entire focus of the team management is on the upcoming T20 World Cup, due to which Hardik and Bumrah have been given rest. Both the stars will be seen playing in the T20 series against New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer’s playing depends on fitness

Along with keeping Shreyas Iyer in the team, the Indian Board has also made it clear that his playing in the series will completely depend on his fitness. He is yet to get fitness clearance from BCCI’s Center of Excellence.

Mohammed Shami again ignored

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has consistently performed well in domestic cricket, has once again been ignored. These days Shami is playing for Bengal in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. It was claimed in many media reports that Shami was almost certain to get a chance in the ODI series against New Zealand, but it did not happen.

News

India’s squad for @IDFCFIRSTBank ODI series against New Zealand announced.

Details https://t.co/Qpn22XBAPq#TeamIndia , #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/8Qp2WXPS5P

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2026

India’s ODI squad for New Zealand series

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

ODI series schedule

Let us tell you that a three-match ODI series will be played between India and New Zealand, which will start from January 11. The first match will be played in Vadodara. After this, the second match of the series will be held in Rajkot on 14 January. Then the third and final match will be played on January 18 at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore.

Playing for Baroda, Hardik Pandya scored a brilliant century against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This is Hardik’s first century in List A cricket. Let us tell you that he was playing on 66 runs in 62 balls, then in the 39th over he completed his century with explosive batting. He hit 5 consecutive sixes in the first 5 balls, and completed his century by hitting a four on the last ball of the over.

Today is the fifth round of the ongoing edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy. Vidarbha won the toss and decided to bowl first. Baroda did not have a very good start. At 71 runs, half the team had returned to the pavilion. Hardik Pandya came at number 7, who batted first cautiously as per the situation. He along with his brother and team captain Krunal Pandya made a partnership of 65 runs for the sixth wicket. Krunal scored 23 runs.

Hardik Pandya hit 5 sixes in Parth Rekhade’s over.

After 38 overs, Baroda team’s score was 182 runs for 7 wickets. Hardik Pandya was on strike, scoring 66 runs in 62 balls. Spinner Parth Rekhade came to bowl the 39th over. Seeing the ball coming up, Hardik hit a brilliant six on the front side. Although the ball did not hit the bat well, still the ball crossed the boundary line.

6⃣,6⃣,6⃣,6⃣,6⃣,4⃣

A maiden List A brought up in some style

Hardik Pandya was on 66 off 62 balls against Vidarbha…and then he went berserk in the 39th over to complete his 100, smashing five sixes and a four motiv

Scorecard https://t.co/MFFOqaBuhP#VijayHazareTrophy, pic.twitter.com/pQwvwnI7lb

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIDomestic) January 3, 2026

Parth bowled the second ball short, on which Pandya hit a six over mid-wicket. On the third ball, Pandya hit a six, with this 200 runs of Baroda team were also completed. Pandya hit a six on the fourth and fifth balls. He was on 96 in 67 balls, then he completed his century by hitting a four on the last ball of the over.

Actress-model Mahika Sharma and cricketer Hardik Pandya are in a relationship. Now both of them are openly courting each other. This love bird is often seen together and they also share romantic pictures with each other on social media. Hardik and Mahika welcomed the new year together. On this special occasion, the cricketer has shared many glimpses of the romantic moments spent with his lady love on his Instagram.

Hardik Pandya shared romantic pictures with Mahika Sharma
On New Year, Hardik and his lady love Mahika were seen immersed in love. In the first few romantic photos shared by Cricketp with his girlfriend, Hardik and Mahika are seen posing in matching maroon outfits. These pictures are from their recent Christmas celebration.

In one video, Mahika is seen showing the award she recently received, while in the other video, she is seen having fun with her friends at a wedding. In some other pictures, the couple is also seen with their pet animals. Soon after the post was shared, many fans reacted to it and called them the ‘best couple’.

Hardik had confirmed his relationship with a woman in the year 2025
Hardik Pandya had confirmed his relationship with Mahika Sharma in 2025. Recently, the cricketer had also dedicated his T20 International win to his lady love and also praised her a lot. Hardik had described Mahika as his biggest support and said that ever since she came into his life, he has been getting success continuously.

Hardik’s first marriage was with actress Natasha.
Let us tell you that Hardik was earlier married to Natasha Stankovic. The couple tied the knot in May 2020 and got married again in February 2023 as per Hindu and Christian customs. However, the couple had confirmed their separation in July 2024. Although they are co-parenting their son Agastya.

Cricketer Hardik Pandya is often in the news about his love life. After his divorce from Natasha Stankovic, he is now dating actress and model Mahika Sharma. A few days ago the cricketer made his relationship with Mahika official. Hardik often shares photos and videos with his girlfriend on social media, recently he has once shared a cute photo with Mahika.

Hardik Pandya shared the post
Hardik and Mahika keep winning the hearts of fans through their pictures and videos on social media. Before the New Year, Hardik Pandya has recently shared a post on Instagram, in which he is seen giving a cute pose with his girlfriend Mahika. Both are looking very good together. Fans are showering their love on this romantic post.

Let us tell you, the rumors of Hardik and Mahika’s relationship started in September 2025, when both of them started following each other on Instagram. After this, their relationship became public after they were seen together for the first time at Mumbai airport on 10th October. Hardik confirmed it officially by sharing pictures with Mahika on his birthday.

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will not play in India’s next ODI series, which starts from January 11. On the India tour, the New Zealand team will play a 5-match T20 series after the 3-match ODI series, which will be the last opportunity to test the preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026.

According to the report of Cricbuzz, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will be rested in the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand. Both will return in the upcoming 5 T20 match series, for which BCCI has announced the team.

Keep a close eye on Bumrah’s workload

Jasprit Bumrah has not played any ODI for India since the 2023 World Cup. According to the report, the fast bowler’s workload is being closely monitored. The next main target of BCCI is the T20 World Cup, which is to be held in India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and 8.

Resting Jasprit Bumrah from the ODI series against New Zealand means that the board does not want Bumrah to be given the load in matches which are not very important. Especially when the T20 World Cup 2026 will start within 10 days of the 5-match T20 series.

The board does not want to give load to Hardik also

Hardik Pandya has been the main player of the team for some time as an all-rounder, who is performing brilliantly with bat and ball. He can bowl in powerplay and death overs. Although he has not played any ODI since the Champions Trophy, his exclusion was due to fitness reasons. In such a situation, he can also be rested in the ODI series against New Zealand, which is not a very important series.

Domestic cricket is also an important aspect in Hardik’s case. According to the report, he can play 2 matches for Baroda in Vijay Hazare Trophy.

India vs New Zealand ODI series schedule

• 11 January- Vadodara
• 14 January- Rajkot
• 18 January- Indore

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is soon going to announce Team India for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In this series, senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can once again be seen in blue jersey. Whereas Shubman Gill can be given the captaincy of the ODI team. However, before the announcement of the team, there is a strong discussion that some big names may remain out of this series. Especially considering the workload management and recent selection policy, questions are being raised on the three star players.

Is it difficult for Rishabh Pant to return to the ODI team?

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s selection in the ODI team against New Zealand seems difficult. Pant is out of the Indian ODI team since 2024. He was also seen sitting on the bench in the England series, Champions Trophy and matches against Australia and South Africa. In such a situation, BCCI can rely on players like KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan or Jitesh Sharma for wicketkeeping.

Hardik Pandya may get rest

Hardik Pandya is fully fit and also available for selection. Despite this, he may be kept out of the team in this ODI series. After the ODI series against New Zealand, India also has to play a five-match T20 series. Also, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2026, BCCI is cautious about Hardik’s workload. In such a situation, there is a possibility that he may be given a break from ODI and focus on the T20 series.

Jasprit Bumrah may also be out

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s name is also included among those players who can be rested from the ODI series. Bumrah has been kept away from ODI matches since the Australia tour. BCCI is already managing his workload so that he remains completely fit for big tournaments. However, it is believed that Bumrah will be seen playing in the T20 series against New Zealand.

New combination can be seen in the possible team

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/Tilak Verma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja/Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh/Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are the most liked players in India right now. Of course, both of them now play for Team India only in ODI format, but the fans’ craze for them is continuously increasing. In the latest contract of BCCI, there are 4 players including Virat and Rohit, who get an annual salary of Rs 7 crore. Both of them get crores of rupees from IPL, they also earn huge money from advertisements. Know who are the top-5 highest earning players of India in the year 2025.

Compared to other sports in India, cricket is the most famous, the craze for which is spread in every region of the country. That’s why every big company wants cricketers who have played at the national level to advertise for their companies. The bigger the player, the greater his demand and for this the companies also have to pay more money. Currently, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are the biggest players of India, who have retired from T20 and Test.

1. Virat Kohli (250-300 crores)

Virat Kohli is at second place in the ICC ODI batting rankings, having scored 2 centuries in the 3-match series against South Africa. Kohli earns Rs 7 crore per year from BCCI contract, apart from this he gets Rs 21 crore from RCB in IPL. Apart from this, Kohli earns huge amount from many advertisements, he also has his own company. According to the report, his earning in the year 2025 will be between Rs 250 to 300 crore.

2. Rohit Sharma (150-180 crores)

Rohit Sharma is second in the list, who has earned Rs 150 to 180 crore in the year 2025. His annual salary from BCCI contract is Rs 7 crore. In the last edition, Mumbai Indians had retained him for Rs 16 crore. Apart from this, Rohit earns a lot from per match fees and advertisements.

3. Rishabh Pant (100-120 crores)

Rishabh Pant was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a record amount in the last IPL edition, he got Rs 27 crore for one edition. This time also Lucknow has retained him. Pant is in A grade in the BCCI’s central contract list, whose annual salary is Rs 5 crore. Apart from this, Pant earns from advertisements.

4. Jasprit Bumrah (90-110 crores)

Jasprit Bumrah is also in Grade A+ along with Kohli and Rohit, whose annual salary is Rs 7 crore. Bumrah plays for Mumbai Indians in IPL, this year Jasprit Bumrah was retained by Mumbai for Rs 18 crore. He is the most expensive player of MI team. His earning in 2025 is said to be between Rs 90 to 110 crore.

5. Hardik Pandya (80-100 crores),

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is in A grade in BCCI’s central contract, in which he gets Rs 5 crore annually. Hardik is the fifth highest earning Indian player in the year 2025. His IPL salary is Rs 16.35 crore. Apart from this, Hardik does advertisements for many companies, from which he earns a lot. According to the report, Hardik’s earnings in the year 2025 will be between Rs 80 to 100 crore.

The next international series of the Indian cricket team is against New Zealand. The India tour will start with a series of 3 ODI matches, the first match of which will be held on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. BCCI can announce the team in the first week of January. 2 changes are possible in the team.

Indian Test and ODI team captain Shubman Gill was injured in the first Test against South Africa. He suffered a leg injury, after which he was out of the Test and then the entire ODI series. Although he returned from the T20 series, his performance was poor. The result of this was that he was not selected in the team for the T20 World Cup.

Will Shreyas Iyer return?

Talking about Shreyas Iyer, he was badly injured during the Australia tour, he is currently undergoing rehabilitation process at BCCI’s Center of Excellence. The good thing is that Iyer has started practicing batting in the nets, which is very good news for his comeback.

Difficult to have Ishaan or Padikkal in the team

Ishan Kishan and Devdutt Padikkal are performing brilliantly in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but right now there is no place for them in the team. Ishaan has been selected for the T20 World Cup and the T20 series against New Zealand, but he may have to wait for the ODIs. On the other hand, despite Vijay Hazare scoring two consecutive centuries, it seems difficult for Padikkal to be selected in the team.

Tilak Verma and Dhruv Jurel will be out

With the arrival of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Verma and Dhruv Jurel will have to be out. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be included in the team as 2 wicketkeepers, Tilak Verma may also have to go out, who was the backup of Rituraj Gaikwad.

Pandya and Bumrah rested

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah can be rested from the ODI series. Both are important players in the T20 World Cup, due to workload management they will be rested from the ODI series against New Zealand. He has not played in the last 2 ODI series for India, and this will continue.

Akshar Patel did not play in the ODI against South Africa, the BCCI did not give the reason that he was rested and was ruled out. He may also be out of the ODI series against New Zealand. Ravindra Jadeja may get his last chance, whose performance in the last few matches in this format has not been good. He was dropped from the team in Australia and could not impress with the ball against South Africa.

India’s probable ODI squad against New Zealand

Shubman Gill (captain), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana.