(Image source from: AP)
A lawyer has filed a report with the Pune Police asking them to register an FIR against cricketer Hardik Pandya. This is due to allegations of him disrespecting the national flag during the T20 World Cup celebration at a stadium in Ahmedabad. An officer from the Shivaji Nagar police station verified on Wednesday that the lawyer Wajid Khan submitted the complaint but did not provide further details. In his report, Khan mentioned that Pandya covered himself with the national flag and acted inappropriately while celebrating India's victory over New Zealand last Sunday. "This behavior is illegal according to the laws, and action should be taken. Every citizen has a responsibility to honor the respect of the national flag," the report mentions. Previously, Pandya stated that winning his second consecutive T20 World Cup was a personal goal fulfilled and expressed that "this is only the beginning" of the team's success.
Pandya achieved two fifties, scoring 52 runs off 28 balls against Namibia, and took crucial wickets during the tournament, finishing with a total of nine wickets. "After our win in Barbados (in the 2024 final against South Africa), I promised myself that in every tournament I enter, I will aim for victory and lift the trophy. This win against New Zealand in Ahmedabad proves that my promise to myself has come true. And this is merely the beginning," Pandya shared with Star Sports.
At 32, Pandya is among four Indian cricketers recognized in the ICC's Team for the 2026 T20 World Cup. During the discussion, he also talked about the difficulties he faced before the 2024 World Cup in the Americas. "When we secured the T20 World Cup in 2024, I went through many personal challenges. A lot happened leading up to that tournament, and things weren't going in my favor. Before the 2024 World Cup began, I resolved to seek redemption.
"I aimed for a powerful return. I succeeded and helped my team win the trophy after 17 years," Pandya remembered about his performance during the tournament that ended India's long wait for an ICC event title. Pandya performed well with both bat and ball, taking 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.64 and scoring 144 runs with an average of 48.00. The all-rounder from Baroda mentioned, "With the T20 World Cup victory in Ahmedabad, this is something I've always aspired to. I play cricket to achieve success for my nation and win trophies. My goal is to secure all trophies for India. " On Sunday, India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and also won it three times since their first victory in the tournament's inaugural edition back in 2007.
