MUMBAI: Hardik Pandya has found himself at the centre of a legal storm even as India celebrates another ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph. A complaint has been filed accusing the star all-rounder of disrespecting the national flag during on-field celebrations following India’s victory.
The complaint was submitted to police in Bengaluru by Pune-based advocate Wajid Khan Bidkar, alleging that Pandya insulted the Indian tricolour during the celebrations after India defeated New Zealand national cricket team in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium.
According to the application, Pandya had wrapped the national flag around his body while celebrating on the field and engaged in behaviour that the complainant described as “obscene” while dancing during the victory festivities. The lawyer argued that the act amounted to disrespect under provisions linked to the protection of the national flag and urged authorities to initiate legal action. The complainant also alleged that at one point during the celebrations, Pandya was seen lying on the stage with his girlfriend while the national flag remained draped over his shoulder.
Police officials confirmed that the complaint application had been submitted but did not elaborate on whether a formal case would be registered.
Videos from the celebrations have circulated widely on social media. In one widely shared clip, Pandya is seen celebrating with the tricolour draped over his shoulders while dancing and interacting with people on the field.
Should Pandya be found legally guilty, he could face punishment under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Under Section 2 of the Act, any person who burns, defaces, tramples upon, or otherwise shows disrespect to the Indian national flag in public view faces imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. A repeat conviction carries a minimum one-year prison term. Courts typically examine the intent to disrespect, whether the act occurred in public, and whether it constitutes a “gross affront or indignity” to the flag; deliberateness versus accident playing a key role.
The controversy has erupted just days after India successfully defended its T20 World Cup title, becoming the first team to achieve the feat and securing the trophy for a third time since winning the inaugural edition in 2007.
Pandya played a key role in the campaign. The 32-year-old all-rounder finished the tournament with nine wickets and struck two half-centuries, including a brisk 52 off 28 balls against Namibia. His performances also earned him a place in the tournament’s official team of the year.
Reflecting on the victory, Pandya described the title as the fulfilment of a personal promise. “After the win in Barbados in 2024, I promised myself that whichever tournament I play, I will play to win and lift the trophy,” he said in an interview with Star Sports. “This win against New Zealand in Ahmedabad is a validation that the promise I made to myself has become a reality. And this is just the start.”
Pandya also recalled the difficult period he faced before the 2024 tournament. “When we won the T20 World Cup in 2024, I was facing a lot of difficulties personally. Many things had happened before that tournament and things were not going my way,” he said. “Before the 2024 World Cup started, I had made up my mind that I was going for redemption. I wanted to make a dominating comeback.”
The Baroda-born all-rounder added that winning trophies for India remains his central motivation. “This is something I have always lived for. I play cricket to do well for my country and win trophies. I want to win all the trophies for India.”
For now, though, the celebrations of a historic cricket triumph have been punctured by controversy—leaving one of India’s most flamboyant cricketers juggling glory on the field with scrutiny off it.