In India, cricket is not just a sport– it is a religion for many. And people are often curious to know what’s up with their favourite cricketers– both on and off the field. More recently, the Pandya brothers—Hardik and Krunal—are making the headlines for rumours of a rift between the two.
Add to it, in the heat of IPL 2026’s Mumbai Indians (MI) vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clash at Wankhede Stadium recently, things got spicy. Krunal celebrated Hardik’s wicket with unbridled joy, and whispers of a “rift” exploded online (again)! No post-match handshake? A death stare from Hardik? Fans were hooked. And now, Krunal’s stepping up to set the record straight—with praise for his little brother.
Krunal Panda praises brother Hardik Pandya amid the buzz
In a heartfelt Cricbuzz interview (reported by News18), Krunal opened up about his journey without directly naming the drama.
Instead, he dropped this gem: Calling Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard the “best finishers” in cricket. Talk about brotherly love! It’s a subtle shutdown to the rumours, reminding everyone that on-field rivalry doesn’t erase off-field respect.Krunal, now RCB’s shining all-rounder, also got real about his dreams. “The ultimate goal is to represent the country, and I don’t dwell too much on it,” he shared. “I want to keep doing what is in my control, which is to go out there and perform and win games.
And in that process, if I get that opportunity, I’ll be really glad… Whatever opportunity I got playing for the country in white-ball cricket, I did a pretty decent job.
It’s just that I want to do my thing, and the rest I leave to God.”Pure Pandya grit—focus on the field, faith in the rest. It’s the mindset that’s fueled both brothers’ rises.
How the “rift” rumours between the Pandya brothers ignited
It all stemmed from that electric MI vs. RCB game. Krunal, playing for Bangalore, clean bowled his brother Hardik—and let’s just say his celebration was next-level pumped. Hardik’s icy glare afterward? Gold for meme-makers. Adding fuel, the brothers skipped their usual end-of-match hug, unlike past seasons. Social media lit up: “Pandya brothers fighting?” “Family feud in IPL?”Classic cricket drama. But as Krunal’s words show, it’s likely just a cricket competition—nothing a simple family chat can’t fix.However, fans are reading between the lines. In the past few months, people have noticed a loud silence between the Pandya brothers. Be it Krunal and his wife Pankhuri missing during the T20 World Cup finals and not even wishing Hardik through social media posts, to Hardik missing his family get-together in Baroda, wherein his ex-wife Natasa Stankovic and his son Agastya were present. And speculations are rife that maybe the rift between the Pandya brothers is because of Hardik’s growing closeness with new girlfriend Mahieka Sharma.
The Pandya brothers’ epic journeys: From modest roots to IPL glory
Hardik Pandya, the Baroda boy who hustled through financial hardships, exploded onto the scene with Mumbai Indians. His on-field performance has made him indispensable across formats. Off the field, his life’s also been full of ups and downs: His marriage to Natasa Stankovic (ended in just four years), and now he is dating Mahieka Sharma. Yet, Hardik’s ‘never give up’ attitude keeps fans hooked.Meanwhile, his elder brother, Krunal Pandya, is also an all-rounder. Starting with MI alongside Hardik, he earned India caps and now anchors RCB.
Krunal is married to Pankhuri Sharma. But unlike Hardik, Krunal prefers to stay grounded amid the spotlight.
Family first
In cricket’s high-stakes world, moments like these test bonds. Krunal’s shoutout isn’t just damage control; it’s a nod to their shared grind. As IPL 2026 heats up, expect more brotherly battles—but with love underneath.What are your views on the Pandya brothers’ rift? Tell us in the comments below.
