Hardik Pandya confirms separation with Natasa Stankovic hours after losing T20I captaincy race to Suryakumar Yadav

Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic have confirmed their separation

Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic announce separation: India's premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic have publicly acknowledged their separation. Putting an end to the speculations, the cricketer shared a note on Instagram on Thursday evening confirming the same. The note stated the couple have mutually decided to part ways. They, however, will continue to co-parent their three-year-old son together.

The development comes hours after Hardik lost the T20I captaincy race to Suryakumar Yadav.

“After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways,” the cricketer wrote in a lengthy statement released on his official Instagram handle.

“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," it read further.

Hardik Pandya and Natasha part ways. pic.twitter.com/gnTNI7Lduu

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 18, 2024

Hardik and Natasa had tied the knot in May 2020, and were blessed with a son two months later. “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.

“We sincerely request your support and understanding to give us the privacy during this difficult and sensitive time,” the cricketer wrote further.

Rumours about the couple's divorce first surfaced during the initial stages of the latest edition of the Indian Premier League. The speculations rife as Natasa deleted the “Pandya” surname from her Instagram handle and removed their photos.

Earlier it was reported that Natasa had left Mumbai for Serbia, her home country, with their son Agastya.

Meanwhile, the development comes hours after BCCI announced the team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Hardik, who was Rohit Sharma's deputy in the T20 World Cup, was part of the T20I squad but was stripped from the vice-captaincy position. The role was handed over to emerging star Shubman Gill.

Hardik isn't be part of the ODI series as BCCI granted his request to skip the 50-over format due to personal reasons.