Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic Announce Separation: Son Agastya Remains Priority

Indian cricket star Hardik Pandya revealed on Instagram on Thursday that he and his wife, Natasa Stankovic, have decided to go their separate ways. The couple, who have been in the public eye with rumors of a split circulating for months, confirmed the news, ending speculation. Hardik, a key player for the Indian cricket team, and Natasa, a Serbian actress, got engaged in January 2020 and share a four-year-old son named Agastya.

Joint Statement from Hardik and Natasa

In their joint Instagram post, Hardik and Natasa shared: “After 4 years together, Natasa and I have mutually decided to part ways. We did everything we could to make it work, but we believe this is the best decision for both of us. This was a difficult choice, considering the joy, respect, and companionship we shared while growing our family.

“Agastya will stay at the core of our lives, and we will co-parent to ensure his happiness”. We kindly ask for your support and understanding to respect our privacy during this challenging time. Hardik/Natasa.”

Relationship Timeline and Speculations

Rumors of their relationship began around 2018, and Natasa referred to Pandya as her “best friend” in a 2019 Instagram post. They became engaged on January 1, 2020, and their son Agastya was born in July 2020. The couple reaffirmed their commitment to each other in Udaipur on February 14, 2023.

Public Presence and Speculation

Frequently seen together at social events, the couple was often in the spotlight, much like another famous cricketer-actor pair, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. However, rumors of trouble began in May 2024, when their public appearances and joint social media posts ceased. Natasa, who used to attend IPL matches to support Hardik, was notably absent during IPL 2024, fueling speculation of their impending separation. With Thursday’s announcement, those rumors have been confirmed.