In cricket, praise from anyone feels good—but when it comes from your idol, the joy multiplies. That’s exactly what Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Gautami Naik experienced after a match-winning performance in WPL 2026. She received a surprise video message from India’s explosive all-rounder Hardik Pandya, congratulating her on her stellar innings.
Gautami played a fiery knock of 73 runs off 55 balls on Monday night, guiding RCB to a 32-run victory over Gujarat Giants. This marked RCB’s fifth consecutive win this season and confirmed their place in the playoffs. Despite being in a tight spot against Gujarat Giants, Gautami’s brilliant batting rescued her team and helped set a winning target.
Hardik Becomes Her Idol
After the match, Gautami revealed in a WPL video that Hardik Pandya is her cricketing idol. She said,
“Hardik Pandya is my idol in cricket. I want to play like him. I always watch him in high-pressure situations to see how he stays calm and composed. I try to emulate that in my own game.”
A Heartwarming Video Message
Shortly after her declaration, Gautami received a phone call. Hardik sent her a heartfelt message:
“Hi Gautami, this is Hardik. I heard that I am your cricket idol. First of all, I feel proud to inspire so many young cricketers. Congratulations on your half-century! Enjoy your game, and I hope you play many more brilliant innings for your franchise and country in the future. Keep loving the game.”
Gautami described the moment as unforgettable:
“This is a huge moment for me. I never expected something like this. Receiving a message from Hardik Pandya, my idol, is one of the greatest achievements of my life. I would love to meet him someday. I really admire him.”
A Promising Start for Gautami Naik
This was Gautami’s first major innings of her debut WPL season. She has played 4 out of 5 matches for RCB, scoring a total of 82 runs, with 73 runs coming from this single match. Her batting average currently stands at 41, with a strike rate of 134.42, hinting at a bright future ahead in the league.
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