A tense on-field moment between Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran during the IPL 2026 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru sparked widespread discussion on social media after a new video clip surfaced online.
The incident took place during the high-scoring encounter at the Ekana Stadium earlier this week. The exchange began when Krunal bowled a sharp bouncer to Pooran shortly after the left-hander arrived at the crease. On the following delivery, Pooran took a single, and the two players appeared to exchange a few words as the batter reached the non-striker’s end.
Viral Post-Match Clip Fuels Speculation
Although the on-field exchange seemed minor during the live broadcast, a separate video shared online after the match intensified speculation among fans. The clip showed Pooran making animated gestures while speaking to Krunal before briefly grabbing him by the collar.
The situation, however, did not escalate further. Justin Langer, head coach of Lucknow Super Giants, was seen stepping in during the interaction. Moments later, both players were smiling and chatting casually, indicating that the exchange was friendly banter rather than a serious confrontation.
Krunal Pandya Responds on Instagram
Putting rumours to rest, Krunal Pandya later shared a photo with Pooran on Instagram and clarified that there was no conflict between them.
“No lafda (no trouble), only love,” Krunal wrote while congratulating Pooran on completing 100 IPL matches. He also jokingly asked the Caribbean batter how he felt about the earlier bouncer.
Pooran responded warmly in the comments section, writing, “Only love here, guys. One of my best mates.”
The interaction reassured fans that the viral moment was taken out of context and that the two cricketers continue to share a strong friendship off the field.
Former Teammates Share Strong Bond
Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran previously played together for Lucknow Super Giants during the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons. Their familiarity and camaraderie were evident even during the heated moments of the latest match.
Both players are known for their aggressive competitive spirit, but teammates and fans have often highlighted their close bond within the franchise setup.
LSG Beat RCB in High-Scoring Thriller
The match itself turned into an entertaining contest, with Lucknow Super Giants securing a nine-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru through the DLS method.
LSG posted a massive total of 209 runs in 19 overs, powered by a brilliant 111-run knock from Mitchell Marsh off just 56 deliveries. Due to weather interruptions, RCB’s revised target was set at 213.
Despite strong contributions from Rajat Patidar, Tim David and Krunal Pandya, RCB fell short by nine runs. One of the biggest talking points of the chase came when Prince Yadav dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck in the second over.
Following the result, Royal Challengers Bengaluru remained third in the IPL 2026 standings, while Lucknow Super Giants stayed at the bottom of the table.
