Kranti Gaud recreates Hardik Pandya’s iconic pose after WC win — a moment that caught the internet’s heart
India’s historic Women’s World Cup 2025 victory created dozens of unforgettable images — and one of them went viral for a fun reason. Fast bowler Kranti Gaud recreated Hardik Pandya’s now-famous “shoulder shrug” trophy pose on the pitch, a lighthearted tribute that quickly became a fan favourite online. The photo summed up joy, swagger and a fresh generation of stars making the moment their own.
Kranti Gaud: the pose, the post, the reaction
What she did and where the image came from
Shortly after India clinched the Women’s World Cup in Navi Mumbai, Kranti Gaud shared a picture on social media standing beside the trophy and striking the casual “just another day” shoulder-out pose that Hardik Pandya popularised. The image — taken on the DY Patil pitch — paired pride with a wink of swagger, and fans responded fast: likes, shares and comparisons flooded timelines within minutes. Multiple sports outlets ran the photo and called it a viral highlight of the celebrations.
Why that pose matters right now
Hardik Pandya’s pose had become a cultural shorthand for effortless triumph after India’s recent white-ball wins. When Kranti Gaud echoed it, she wasn’t copying — she was connecting moments across India’s cricketing story: men’s and women’s teams, established stars and rising talent, all sharing a winning spirit that fans love. The recreation also showed how celebrations and social media play a role in building personalities beyond performance alone.
Kranti Gaud’s World Cup: performance that earned the spotlight
On-field contribution
Kranti Gaud’s rise to the national side has been rapid. In the World Cup, she was part of India’s pace battery across eight matches and finished the tournament with nine wickets — a tidy return that helped India in crucial stages and added depth to the attack. Her economy and key spells in matches against teams like Pakistan and South Africa were especially noticed by commentators and fans. These performances, more than any pose, cemented her place on the touring XI and in the headlines.
From rural roots to world stage
Kranti hails from Ghuwara village in Madhya Pradesh and has a story familiar to many rising Indian athletes: early promise, limited resources, relentless practice and the support of local coaches. Her domestic track record — strong showings in senior one-day tournaments and the Women’s Premier League — made the national selectors sit up and take notice. That trajectory helps explain why her celebration resonated: it’s a genuine human story wrapped in a celebratory image.
What the viral post means for women’s cricket and branding
Personality matters in modern sport
Players are athletes and content creators now. A single image can humanise a player, bring sponsors and create media buzz. Kranti Gaud’s post did exactly that — it made headlines not because it was contrived, but because it felt real: a young woman owning a global triumph with both pride and personality. That authenticity drives engagement and helps players build followings that can translate into endorsements, speaking opportunities, and grassroots influence.
Momentum for women’s cricket
When viral moments land on mainstream feeds, they draw casual viewers into the sport. The image of Kranti with the trophy put another spotlight on the historic win and invited new fans to follow the team’s season ahead. For the sport, those micro-moments help maintain momentum: more viewers, higher broadcast interest, and growing commercial value for the women’s game.
Beyond the photo: recognition and rewards
Local and state appreciation
Following the World Cup triumph, state leaders and cricket administrators moved quickly to congratulate the squad. Reports say Kranti Gaud — along with teammates — is due to receive state-level rewards and recognition for her role in the campaign, underscoring how sport translates into civic pride back home. These gestures reinforce the positive economic and social impact a sporting breakthrough can have on players’ lives.
How fans reacted — and what it taught us
Social media responses
The fans loved it. Comments ranged from affectionate comparisons to Hardik Pandya to messages celebrating Kranti’s achievement as a role model. The tone was overwhelmingly positive: people treated the pose as a shared cultural reference and a sign that Indian cricket’s next generation has arrived with both skill and a sense of humour. Viral posts like this often deepen fan-player connection and create shareable memories that outlast a single match.
A lesson in keeping content human
Kranti’s post worked because it was spontaneous and modest. For athletes and content creators, that’s the key takeaway: authenticity beats overproduced content. Fans today reward human moments — the short laugh, the quick pose, the honest caption — because they feel relatable.
Final take: Kranti Gaud — more than a pose
The photo of Kranti Gaud recreating Hardik Pandya’s pose is an enjoyable footnote to a much bigger story: a young bowler’s rise, a historic Indian victory, and the growing cultural footprint of women’s cricket. The viral image amplified Kranti’s profile, but her on-field contributions are what made the celebration possible. Expect her to be a household name for a long time — both for the wickets she takes and the moments she creates.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Creates Unique Record: Only Cricketer to Take a Wicket on 0th Ball of T20I Career
