While Team India was battling it out against New Zealand, all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted winning hearts and kite battles off the field. On the festive occasion of Makar Sankranti, a video of the cricket star flying kites with his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, in Jaipur has taken the internet by storm.

For Hardik, a proud Gujarati boy born and raised in Baroda, Makar Sankranti (or Uttarayan) isn’t just a festival; it’s an emotion. In Gujarat, the sky turns into a battlefield of colourful kites, and the roar of "Kai Po Che!" is as thrilling as a stadium chant.

In the video, he looks pretty relaxed in a white t-shirt, teaching Mahieka, who looked great in a black outfit, the ropes of kite flying. Fans even noticed he had protective tape on his fingers, which shows he knows exactly what he’s doing on the rooftop.

While he’s enjoying the festival, fans are definitely missing him on the field. India had a tough game yesterday, losing the 2nd ODI to New Zealand even after a great century from KL Rahul.

Also Read: 2nd ODI: Mitchell, Young star as New Zealand outplay India to level series 1-1

Hardik Pandya has actually been in good form lately; he scored a fast century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but he hasn’t returned to the national side yet. The cricket board is being cautious with him. Since he isn't fully ready to bowl long spells yet, they are saving him for the T20 format, specifically prepping him for the 2026 World Cup. Until then, it’s just good to see him happy and in high spirits.