New Delhi: All-rounder Hardik Pandya has insulted the national flag while celebrating India's T20 World Cup victory, an advocate has alleged in a complaint lodged with Pune Police.
Advocate Wajid Khan filed
an FIR at Shivaji Nagar police station, stating in his application that Pandya indulged in obscene behaviour while the tri-colour was wrapped around his body.
India defeated New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday to become the first team to defend the world crown and win it for three times.
"The act constitutes an offence under the relevant law, and legal action should be taken. It is the duty of every citizen to respect the dignity of the national flag," the complaint application stated, as quoted by PTI.
'Faced personal challenges'
After India's win, Pandya said it fulfilled his personal promise, predicting that it would trigger India's long-term dominance in the format.
"After the win in Barbados (in 2024 final against South Africa), I promised myself that whichever tournament I play, I will play to win and I will lift the trophy," he told Star Sports.
"This win against New Zealand in Ahmedabad is a validation that the promise I made to myself has become a reality. And this is just the start," Pandya told Star Sports.
The 32-year-old scored two half-centuries and took nine wickets to be one of the four Indian players to be named in ICC's team of the tournament.
"When we won the T20 World Cup in 2024, I was facing a lot of difficulties personally. Many things had happened before that tournament and things were not going my way. Before the 2024 World Cup started, I had made up my mind that I was going for redemption," he said.
"I wanted to make a dominating comeback. I did that and helped my team win the trophy after 17 years. Coming to this T20 World Cup victory in Ahmedabad, this is something I have always lived for. I play cricket to do well for my country and win trophies."
