It began with a simple Instagram post, a set of cosy pictures, and an evil-eye emoji as the caption. But that was all it took for fans to go into a frenzy. Hardik Pandya, India’s star all-rounder, has made his relationship with Mahieka Sharma official on social media, confirming what gossip circles had been whispering for weeks. The post, shared just a day before his 32nd birthday, shows Hardik and Mahieka together, sparking a wave of interest about the woman who has caught the cricketer’s eye. Take a look at the pictures here: Who is Mahieka Sharma, Hardik Pandya’s new partner? Mahieka Sharma isn’t new to the limelight. A popular model and budding actress, she has carved her niche in India’s fashion circuit. Known for her elegant presence and sharp sense of style, Mahieka has collaborated with some of India’s biggest designers, Manish Malhotra, Anita Dongre, and Tarun Tahiliani, among them. Born and raised in New Delhi, Mahieka completed her schooling at the Navy Children’s School before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University in Gujarat. Her academic journey didn’t stop there; she later studied community psychology for a year at the University of Maryland in the United States. At just 24, Mahieka already boasts an impressive résumé, with over 103k Instagram followers and a growing influence in both fashion and entertainment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ♡ mahieka!!!! ♡ (@mahiekasharma) Has Mahieka been part of films or shows? Yes. Mahieka has been featured in several short films, music videos, and brand campaigns. She made appearances in Into The Dusk, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel, and PM Narendra Modi, directed by Omung Kumar and starring Vivek Oberoi. Her striking on-screen presence and effortless camera confidence have made her a familiar face in digital and television spaces. How did the dating rumours begin? Fans first started linking Hardik and Mahieka when eagle-eyed social media users noticed subtle clues in their posts. At one point, Mahieka was seen wearing a leopard-print bathrobe identical to one Hardik had worn earlier. Another time, followers spotted the number 33 tattooed on her finger — coincidentally, the same as Hardik’s jersey number. The rumours gained momentum after the two were photographed together at the Mumbai airport on October 10. Within hours, the speculation turned into confirmation when Hardik shared his Instagram post, giving fans exactly what they’d been waiting for. Timing it right before a special day Sources close to the couple suggest that Hardik wanted to make his relationship public before his 32nd birthday on October 11. The cricketer, who has often been in the spotlight for his career highs and personal life, seemed calm and confident as he introduced Mahieka to the world. While neither has shared further details, the pictures and the timing of the post hint at a deepening bond between the two. Highlights: Hardik Pandya confirms relationship with model-actress Mahieka Sharma on Instagram. Mahieka, 24, has worked with top designers and appeared in several films and ads. Fans had already guessed their relationship from social media hints before the official post.