India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has spoken about the positive influence his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, has had on both his personal life and cricket career. Reported by TOI.
Hardik confirmed his relationship with Mahieka in late 2025, more than a year after his divorce from Natasa Stankovic in July 2024. Since then, the couple has been seen together on several occasions, with Mahieka also spending time with Hardik and Natasa’s son, Agastya Pandya.
In a conversation with JioStar, Hardik reflected on his batting and admitted he has yet to fully unlock his potential.
“After the last IPL, I realised that I really wanted to play to my full potential. I think until now, I haven't utilised more than 40 per cent of my batting potential. What I know as a cricketer, what I imagine, what I manifest, and how I practice, have not translated into performance by more than 40 per cent. I took some time in my life to figure out how to bring that out. That's when Mahieka came into my life. We started talking about the sport and how to bring that child back,” he said.
He credited Mahieka with helping him reconnect with his love for the game.
“Mahieka helped me rediscover that excitement for the game that I always had. I went behind the scenes, worked really hard, and had a good amount of batting sessions. There were days when I was on the ground for six to seven hours,” Hardik added.
A Valentine’s Day Tattoo
On Valentine’s Day 2026, Hardik marked his relationship by getting the initial ‘M’ — representing Mahieka — tattooed on the back of his neck.
According to his tattoo artist Sunny Bhanushali, founder of Aliens Tattoo, what began as a simple idea evolved into a more detailed and symbolic design featuring two leopards.
Initially, Hardik had planned to ink just the letter ‘M’. However, after discussions with Mahieka and the artist, the concept expanded into a layered design symbolising their partnership.
The final tattoo depicts two leopards — one bold and fierce, symbolising ambition and forward drive; the other shadow-like, moving gracefully and encircling the letter ‘M’.
“Hardik came with the idea of an initial, but conversations revealed something much deeper. They described themselves as partners who amplify each other's strengths. The leopard became the perfect metaphor — powerful alone, unstoppable together,” Sunny said.
“This tattoo is not a decoration; it's a story permanently carried. Some tattoos are requested, some are discovered — this piece was built through trust and emotion. When a tattoo reflects a real story, it stops being ink and becomes a memory,” he added.
The placement on the back of the neck was intentional — subtle when concealed, yet impactful when visible — aligning with Hardik’s vision.
The artwork was created by Tushar Marane, lead artist at Aliens Tattoo and mentor at Aliens Tattoo School, known for his intricate detailing.
For Hardik, the tattoo represents more than just body art. It symbolises love, personal growth and a renewed determination to excel on the cricket field.
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