'The reaction was because...,' Hardik Pandya opens up on emotional semi-final celebration
In the semi-final, Hardik Pandya’s crucial final-over throw sealed India’s victory over England. Hardik shared that the celebration was for his son, Agastya, who was there at the stadium.
Last Updated: 06.00 PM, Mar 07, 2026
In a game where England’s Jacob Bethell was intimidating to grab a historic victory with a magnificent 105, it was Hardik Pandya’s lightning-fast throw in the final over that finally broke the English fight. As the bails flew and Bethell was caught short of his crease, Hardik’s celebration, even before the umpire had ruled him out, was more than just a victory lap.
'The reaction was because my son came'
In a recent video posted by BCCI, Hardik opened up on the reason behind that celebration. The Indian all-rounder said that the celebration was fueled by the presence of his son, Agastya, and his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, in the Wankhede stands.
"The reaction was because my son came, and I wanted my son and Mahieka to enjoy this moment and feel how emotional I was," Hardik revealed.
For the 32-year-old cricketer, it was about sharing the importance of the occasion with his family, making them see the passion and intensity behind the professional cover.
Read also: 'Like having a genie:' Former South Africa captain on Jasprit Bumrah's influence on the Indian team.
Entering "Zen Mode" under pressure
Beyond the celebration, Hardik's performance both with bat and ball has been exceptional in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
In the semi-final, he drew the first blood for the Indian team with the ball by removing Phil Salt and then conceded only 9 runs in the penultimate over while removing Sam Curran.
Hardik described his mental state during those high-pressure overs as "Zen Mode."
"I went into my Zen mode. It’s quite amazing that instead of my heartbeat rushing, I stayed still. I’m really proud of that," he remarked.
Till now in this campaign, Hardik has scored 199 runs at a strike rate of 163.11. With the ball, he has taken 8 wickets with an economy rate of 8.79, which makes him one of the most valuable players of the shortest format currently.
How to watch the India vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2026 final match online?
Cricket fans in India can watch the India vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2026 final match on JioHotstar, accessible via OTTplay Premium.