An unusual moment grabbed attention during the second T20I between India and New Zealand when Hardik Pandya vented his frustration with a loud shout directed at the batter. The outburst came immediately after Pandya completed his follow-through, catching both players on the field and viewers by surprise and quickly becoming a major talking point.
Pandya had waited patiently to get into the attack and was brought on at a crucial stage of the innings. After a quiet start, he found his rhythm and delivered a tight spell, managing to apply pressure on the New Zealand batters and provide India with a much-needed breakthrough during the latter half of the innings.
The flashpoint occurred after a sharp delivery to Zak Foulkes. Without any obvious provocation, Pandya suddenly turned and shouted in the batter’s direction. Foulkes appeared unfazed by the reaction and calmly walked away, while the unexpected aggression left many wondering what had triggered the response.
Fans were quick to react, with social media filled with puzzled and divided opinions. Some criticised the outburst as unnecessary and out of character, while others defended Pandya, pointing out that high-intensity matches often bring out raw emotions, especially from fiercely competitive players.
Hardik Pandya’s unnecessary attitude is disappointing. I never expected this from him.
— Manoj (@Jvm_Manoj) January 23, 2026
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Speculation followed as viewers tried to make sense of the moment. A few suggested Pandya might have been releasing pent-up frustration after limited bowling opportunities, while others felt it could have been related to something said or done earlier in the over. No clarification emerged during the match to settle the debate.
Despite the brief controversy, the incident did not escalate further and play resumed without interruption. Still, Pandya’s animated reaction added an unexpected layer of drama to the contest, ensuring the Raipur moment remained etched in fans’ memories long after the final ball was bowled.