RCB’s Gautami Naik had an unforgettable moment after receiving a special video message from her idol Hardik Pandya following her match-winning performance in the WPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Giants (GG) on January 19 in Vadodara. She smashed a brilliant 73-run knock off 55 balls and bagged the Player of the Match award.
Gautami scored her maiden half-century and revealed how Hardik inspires her. In a video shared by the WPL, Gautami said: “My cricketing idol is Hardik Pandya. I want to play like him. I watch his matches in pressure situations all the time. I watch him play calmly, and that’s my nature as well. I see myself being similar to him, and I want to play like him.”
She was then surprised to see a video message from Hardik, where he said, “Hi Gautami, Hardik here. I got to know that I am your cricketing idol. First of all, it feels really great to inspire a lot of young cricketers. And many congratulations on your first half-century. Enjoy the sport. I hope going forward in life, you do more and more better for your franchisee and for the country. Keep loving the sport, be disciplined and enjoy.”
Reacting to the video, Gautami became emotional and said, “This is a great moment for me, I didn’t expect anything like this. I can’t tell you how I am feeling right now. He is my idol and I am getting messages from him means I have achieved something in my life. Thank you so much for this. I would really like to meet him, I like him a lot, as a player, and his nature, as an athlete.”
She further extended her wish to meet Hardik and said, “Hardik sir, I would like to meet you. I am a big fan of yours. I want to play like you. Keep encouraging me. And all the best for the T20 World Cup, hope you do well too. Our blessings are with you. Keep going and help India lift the World Cup.”
Gautami’s knock included seven boundaries and one maximum at a strike rate of 132.72. Despite some early setbacks, her 60-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Smriti Mandhana steadied RCB’s innings. Eventually, RCB scored 178/6 in 20 overs and won the game by 61 runs.
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