Hardik Pandya expressed his gratitude for Indian women cricketer Kranti Gaud when he gifted her a signed India jersey. The picture that is now trending on social media shows the two players together in a blue jersey that has Pandya's name and number 33 engraved on it along with his signature. The post of the duo was captured from the BCCI CoE where Pandya is training to get fit for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The picture of both the Indian players was shared on the pacer’s instagram account. The importance of the gesture can be understood from the instances where Gaud has often talked about admiring the MI skipper and imitated his signature celebration after India won the Women’s World Cup.
The significance of this gesture for the Indian cricketer cannot be underestimated because of the Indian pacer’s journey from Madhya Pradesh to now on exciting International grounds. The Indian pacer was instrumental in winning the Women’s World Cup 2025 as she took nine wickets in eight matches. She went on establishing herself as an important all-rounder cricketer. She has been retained by UP Warriorz for ₹50 lakh for the WPL 2026 season. Gaud has always openly declared her admiration for the MI skipper, telling the media that she was thrilled when the all-rounder commented on her social media post.
Kranti Gaud etches name in history with 5-fer in one-off Test match against England in Lords' Ground
Kranti Gaud has continued to make rapid strides in Indian women’s cricket, with her performances in recent matches underlining her development as a reliable pace option. The 22-year-old pacer was part of India’s successful 2025 Women’s World Cup campaign and also featured for UP Warriorz in the 2026 Women’s Premier League, where she produced several impressive spells. Her ability to generate movement and attack the stumps has made her an increasingly important option across formats. Gaud’s international progress reached another level during India’s 2026 tour of England, when she earned her place in the historic one-off Test at Lord’s.
At Lord’s, Gaud delivered the defining performance of her young Test career. She played the first-ever women’s Test at the iconic venue and claimed 5/37 as India bowled England out for 170, becoming the first woman to have her name etched on the Lord’s Test honours board. Her victims included Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell. She later added two more wickets in England’s second innings to finish with seven wickets in the match, earning the Player of the Match award as India completed a historic 270-run victory.
