During the IPL 2023 match between Lucknow Super Giants and defending champions Gujarat Titans, a poll was displayed on the broadcasters’ screen, asking which of the Pandya brothers would have a greater impact on the game.
The poll results showed that the fans favored Hardik, the younger brother and captain of GT. He went on to score a half-century in the match, while Krunal excelled with the ball. Although the poll was meant to engage the viewers, it appears that there may have been some healthy competition between the two all-rounders, as evidenced by an act from Hardik.
After Rashid Khan dismissed Kyle Mayers for 24 off 19 in the seventh over, Lucknow decided to promote Krunal up the batting line-up, and the left-hander walked in at No.3. As Krunal made his way to the crease, Hardik could be seen exchanging a few words with him and giving instructions to his teammates about Krunal’s batting.
He then laughed at his brother, attempting to play some mind games and hoping to elicit a reaction from Krunal. However, the elder Pandya remained silent as he adjusted his helmet and gloves before stepping up to the crease.
Lucknow’s Krunal scored a run-a-ball 23 before eventually being dismissed in their chase of 136 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, while captain KL Rahul scored a half-century. In the earlier part of the match, Krunal was the star bowler for Lucknow, taking 2 for 16 in four overs and dismissing opener Shubman Gill for a two-ball duck.
When asked about his banter with Hardik, Krunal told the broadcasters after GT’s innings that they were just teasing each other. Hardik had told Krunal that he would go after him in the match, to which Krunal had replied that the last time Hardik had gone after him, he had gotten him out, so he shouldn’t repeat the mistake.