Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic have confirmed their separation after four years of marriage. On July 18, 2024, the couple shared the news via their social media accounts, revealing that they had decided to part ways. The announcement followed Natasa’s departure to Serbia with their son, Agastya Pandya, just a day earlier.

Hardik Pandya-Natasa Stankovic’s divorce statement

In their joint statement, Pandya and Stankovic announced their decision to end their relationship. “After four years together, we have decided to separate,” their message read. “We have tried our best and given everything, but we believe this is in the best interest of both of us. This was a difficult decision, given the joy, mutual respect and camaraderie we shared while building our family.”

The couple stressed their commitment to co-parenting their son, Agastya, who will remain central to both their lives. They asked for privacy during this challenging time, and emphasized their dedication to ensuring Agastya’s well-being.

Also Read: Natasa Stankovic Won’t Get Major Share of Hardik Pandya’s Wealth: Cricketer Reveals Reason

What Went Wrong? Speculations and Rumors

Although Pandya and Stankovic did not elaborate on specific reasons for their split, rumours about their troubled relationship had been circulating for months. Notably, Stankovic was absent from IPL 2024, where she had previously been a staunch supporter of Pandya. Her social media activity also reflected a growing distance; she removed Pandya’s surname from her Instagram profile and avoided posting about him on special occasions.

Despite these signals, Stankovic maintained friendly relations with Pandya’s family, including his brother Krunal Pandya and his wife, Pankhuri Sharma. She publicly congratulated them on the birth of their second child, indicating that family ties remained intact.

In a 2020 interview, Pandya revealed to Crickettimes.com that Stankovic initially had no idea who he was when they first met. Speaking to cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, he described their meeting and subsequent engagement as a spontaneous and deeply personal experience.

He said, “I got hold of her (Natasa) by talking. She saw someone wearing a hat at a place where I met her, wearing a hat, a necklace, a watch, at 1 am. So she thought he was ‘alag prakaar ka aadmi aaya (a different kind of person came)’. Then I started talking to her, we started getting to know each other. Then we started dating. Then we got engaged on December 31.” When asked if Natasa was a fan of his and knew about him, he had said that she “had no idea who I was”.

Hardik-Natasa divorce: A love story that turned sour

Pandya and Stankovic’s romance began in 2018 when they met at a Mumbai nightclub. The couple’s relationship developed quickly, culminating in a proposal on a yacht in December 2019 and a wedding in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Their son, Agastya, was born in July 2020.

In 2023, the couple renewed their vows in a lavish ceremony in Udaipur, attended by close friends and family. However, despite this grand gesture, their relationship faced difficulties, leading to their recent divorce.

In a 2020 video where they celebrated a grand wedding in Udaipur, Pandya was seen raving about his bride but also admitting that it took him a lot of patience to live with her.

“The way she gave me warmth, I started to get more solutions because she taught me how to find solutions. That learning experience in my love life taught me to achieve more and more in life. I also became more patient because it takes a lot of patience to live with Natasa,” he told the paparazzi.

Also read: When Hardik Pandya admitted that it took ‘a lot of patience’ to stay with his ex-wife Natasa Stankovic

Hardik Pandya-Natasa Stankovic’s Past Relationships

Before their relationship, Pandya and Stankovic both had their share of previous romances. Pandya was linked to several Bollywood actresses, including Urvashi Rautela and Elli AvrRam. Stankovic had a notable relationship with actor Aly Goni, with whom she participated in the reality show ‘Nach Baliye.’

Public reaction and online hate

Following the announcement of their split, Stankovic faced a wave of negative reactions online, with many users expressing disbelief and harsh judgment. Reactions ranged from questioning Stankovic’s recognition of Pandya’s worth to expressing disdain over the financial aspects of their divorce.

Despite the negativity, Pandya and Stankovic have chosen to focus on their son and maintain a respectful co-parenting relationship. Their separation marks the end of a chapter for the couple, but their dedication to their child’s happiness remains a priority.

(Originally published on Jul 19, 2024)