Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya has announced his separation from wife Natasa Stankovic in a heartfelt Instagram post. The star all-rounder confirmed the news on social media, stating that the couple has mutually decided to part ways but will continue to prioritize their son, Agastya.
Hardik Pandya’s Emotional Instagram Announcement
On Instagram, Pandya shared, “After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for the both of us. This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family.”
He continued, “We are blessed with Agastya, who will continue to be at the centre of both our lives and we will co-parent to ensure that we give him everything that we can for his happiness.”
Pandya also requested privacy during this challenging time and urged his fans to continue supporting him. “We sincerely request your support and understanding to give us the privacy during this difficult and sensitive time,” he concluded.
Natasa Stankovic Returns to Serbia
Natasa Stankovic, a former Bigg Boss contestant and dancer, has returned to her hometown in Serbia amid divorce rumours. She shared a picture from her house’s balcony on Instagram with the caption, “Home Sweet Home,” accompanied by a house and white-heart emoji. This came after she was seen at the Mumbai airport with their son, Agastya, avoiding paparazzi and not posing for cameras.
Earlier, she hinted at her trip back to Serbia by posting a picture of a suitcase on her Instagram stories with the caption, “It’s that time of the year,” along with plane and house emojis. These actions have fueled speculation about her departure from Hardik’s home.
Speculations and Rumors Surrounding the Separation
The couple, who married on May 31, 2020, and renewed their wedding vows according to Hindu and Christian rituals in February 2023, faced divorce rumours in May this year. Observant netizens noted that Natasa had removed the ‘Pandya’ surname from her Instagram handle, and a Reddit post titled “Natasa and Hardik separated?” gained traction, highlighting their lack of recent photos together and Natasa’s absence from IPL 2024 matches.
A report by Bombay Times claimed that the couple had been experiencing marital issues for almost six months. “Tension has been brewing in their marriage for the past six months. The couple is likely to head for a separation. However, the stories around the alimony percentage are speculative and exaggerated. Also, news about this being a PR campaign is untrue,” a source informed Bombay Times.
Earlier this month, Natasa posted a video on Instagram that seemed to confirm the separation rumours. In the video, she stated, “Just a gentle reminder from me to you again, God did not remove the Red Sea, He simply parted it. Which means, he won’t remove a problem from your life, he will simply make a way through it.”
The separation news adds to a challenging period for Hardik Pandya, who was recently overlooked by the BCCI to succeed Rohit Sharma as the T20 international captain. Instead, Suryakumar Yadav was chosen to lead the team during the T20 series against Sri Lanka.
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