Why Hardik Pandya Is Facing Controversy After India T20 World Cup 2026 Win?

India's historic ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph has been followed by an unexpected social media controversy, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya facing criticism from fans over his post-match celebrations with the trophy.

Pandya, who played a key role in India's title-winning campaign, has been widely trolled online after videos and photos surfaced showing him repeatedly posing with the trophy during the celebrations at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Hardik Pandya 'Khaby Lame' pose sparks criticism

The controversy began after Pandya recreated a viral pose inspired by social media star Khaby Lame while holding the T20 World Cup trophy on the field.

Images of the moment quickly spread across social media platforms, but instead of being received as a lighthearted celebration, many fans accused the Indian all-rounder of "hogging" the trophy and taking it away from teammates during the on-field festivities.

According to several posts circulating online, Pandya held the trophy for extended periods while posing for photos, including recreating the viral pose multiple times on the pitch.

Fans claim trophy celebrations went on too long

Some fans alleged that Pandya took the trophy from captain Suryakumar Yadav soon after the presentation ceremony and spent several minutes posing with it while other teammates waited for their turn.

Others pointed to clips that appeared to show the all-rounder walking around the field with the trophy alongside his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, during the celebrations.

A number of social media users also drew comparisons to a similar moment during India's ICC Champions Trophy celebrations, when Pandya had reportedly been called back by teammates for a group photo while holding the trophy.

Social media reactions pour in

The videos triggered a wave of reactions online, with some users criticising Pandya for what they described as excessive individual celebrations.

One user wrote that the all-rounder had been "running around with the trophy for over 10 minutes," while others claimed it felt as though he was celebrating as if he had "won the trophy alone."

Another user commented that although players often celebrate with family members on the field after major victories, Pandya's celebrations appeared to go on longer than usual.

Despite the online criticism, Pandya was one of India's most important performers during the tournament.

The all-rounder scored 217 runs and picked up nine wickets across nine matches, playing a crucial role with both bat and ball during India's successful title defence.

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad to become the first team to win three T20 World Cups and the first to defend the title.

While the celebrations sparked debate online, Pandya's on-field performances remain a major reason behind India's historic triumph in the 2026 edition of the tournament.