A legal complaint has been filed against Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya, accusing him of disrespecting the national flag during celebrations after India’s triumph in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

The complaint was submitted by advocate Wajid Khan at the Shivaji Nagar Police Station in Pune. In his application, the lawyer urged authorities to register a First Information Report (FIR) and examine whether the cricketer’s actions violated laws governing respect for the national flag.

Allegations in the complaint

According to the complaint, Pandya was seen celebrating on the field with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma after India defeated New Zealand in the tournament final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The complainant alleged that during the celebrations, the cricketer had draped the Indian tricolour around his body while dancing and posing for photos, which he believes undermined the dignity of the flag.

Referring to provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the lawyer argued that the national flag must be handled with respect and that such actions could amount to a violation of the law.

Police accept complaint

Khan said that when he initially approached the police, he was informed that the incident had taken place in another city. However, he maintained that the national flag represents the entire country and therefore a complaint could be lodged locally.

According to him, the police accepted the written complaint and provided an acknowledgement copy. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether a formal FIR has been registered.

Celebrations after India’s victory

The issue surfaced following India’s win over New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which sparked jubilant celebrations among players at the stadium in Ahmedabad.

Videos shared widely on social media showed Pandya celebrating alongside Mahieka Sharma, with players and team staff enjoying the victory moments after the match.

In some clips, the pair were seen dancing, posing with the trophy and interacting with teammates during the post-match ceremony. One video that gained significant attention online showed them lying on the stage structure while celebrations continued around them.

Mixed reactions online

The footage drew varied responses on social media platforms. Many fans viewed the scenes as emotional celebrations following a hard-fought tournament, while others felt that the setting — particularly the victory stage and the national flag — should have been treated with greater formality.

In his complaint, the lawyer asked authorities to review the footage and determine whether the conduct violated laws meant to protect the dignity of the Indian tricolour.