India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup win in Navi Mumbai continues to spark widespread celebration across social media. Among the many memorable moments, pacer Kranti Gaud’s tribute to Hardik Pandya’s iconic pose has captured significant attention. She shared an image on Instagram, perfectly mirroring Pandya’s famous celebration – a pose he popularized after India’s T20 World Cup triumph and again following the 2025 Champions Trophy win. Notably, Pandya had also used this pose after the Asia Cup final, though without the trophy due to the contentious conclusion of those celebrations.
Kranti Gaud recreated Hardik Pandya’s iconic trophy pose after the final in Navi Mumbai
In her viral post, Gaud is seen on the pitch, the gleaming World Cup trophy placed before her. With a subtle smile, she strikes the familiar pose, pointing towards the prestigious title with both hands. This image quickly spread, with fans enthusiastically drawing parallels between the two cricketers’ celebratory styles.
The 22-year-old from Madhya Pradesh was a pivotal player throughout the tournament. Her disciplined bowling and crucial wickets were instrumental in securing India’s first-ever Women’s World Cup title. Her outstanding efforts have not gone unnoticed at home.
On Monday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced a ₹1 crore reward for Gaud, recognizing her invaluable contribution to the national team. Addressing a program in Bhopal, Chief Minister Yadav stated, “Madhya Pradesh’s Kranti Gaud, who contributed significantly to the team’s victory with her bowling, will receive ₹1 crore from the state government as an incentive.” He also extended his congratulations to the entire Indian team for their “remarkable performance,” emphasizing that “Indian women are excelling in various fields, reflecting the country’s progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Hailing from Ghuwara in Chhatarpur district of Bundelkhand, Gaud’s tournament highlights include being named Player of the Match in India’s group-stage victory over Pakistan, where she delivered impressive figures of 3/20. She concluded the World Cup with a total of nine wickets across eight matches. Her career also boasts a notable six-wicket haul against England at Chester-le-Street, making her only the second Indian woman to achieve such a feat in ODIs.
As the joyous celebrations continue both online and offline, Kranti Gaud’s powerful recreation of Hardik Pandya’s iconic pose adds another unforgettable chapter to India’s glorious World Cup narrative.