Kamal Ghorui
Star Indian men’s team all-rounder Hardik Pandya surprised Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women player Gautami Naik with a special message after her match-winning fifty against Gujarat Giants (GG) in the 12th match of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 on Monday. The uncapped Indian batter registered her maiden WPL half-century, scoring 73 off 55 balls, as RCB secured their fifth consecutive win of the season to remain unbeaten.In a video shared on RCB’s Instagram handle, Gautami revealed that Hardik Pandya is her cricketing idol and that she aspires to play like him.
“My cricketing idol is Hardik Pandya. I want to play like him. I watch his matches in the pressure situations, all the time. I watch him play calmly, and that’s my nature as well. I see myself being similar to him, and I want to play like him,” Gautami said, as per an RCB release.To her surprise, Pandya sent a congratulatory video message to Gautami on her first WPL fifty, saying he felt honoured to be her cricketing idol while urging her to remain disciplined, enjoy the game and continue performing for her franchise and the country.“Hi Gautami, Hardik here. I got to know that I am your cricketing idol. First of all, it feels really great to inspire a lot of young cricketers. And many congratulations on your first half-century. Enjoy the sport. I hope going forward in life, you do more and better for your franchisee and for the country. Keep loving the sport, be disciplined and enjoy,” Pandya said, as per the release.Reacting to the message, Gautami expressed disbelief and happiness, calling it a major moment in her life. She thanked Pandya, praised him as a player and person, and shared her desire to meet him and emulate his game. She also wished Pandya the best for the T20 World Cup 2026, hoping he leads India to glory.“This is a great moment for me. I didn’t expect anything like this. I can’t tell you how I am feeling right now. He is my idol and I am getting messages from him means I have achieved something in my life. Thank you so much for this. I would really like to meet him, I like him a lot, as a player, and his nature, as an athlete.”“Hardik sir, I would like to meet you. I am a big fan of yours. I want to play like you. Keep encouraging me. And all the best for the T20 World Cup, hope you do well too. Our blessings are with you. Keep going and help India lift the World Cup,” Gautami said.In the match, RCB continued their dominant run in WPL 2026, thrashing Gujarat Giants by 61 runs in Vadodara to register their fifth straight win and stay firmly on top of the points table with a perfect record.
