The high-voltage IPL 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium delivered more than just cricketing pyrotechnics.
On Sunday night, the spotlight shifted from the scoreboard to the icy dynamic between the Pandya brothers. In a startling departure from their usual jovial on-field chemistry, Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya appeared to be in the midst of a deep-seated rift, with the duo reportedly skipping the customary post-match handshake.
The tension was palpable from the moment Hardik walked out to bat. Krunal, representing RCB, welcomed his younger brother with a sharp bouncer, which was met with a cold, silent stare from the MI skipper. The lack of pleasantries continued throughout the innings; when Hardik was eventually dismissed, Krunal broke into a visibly aggressive celebration, a move that quickly went viral.
Fans noted that the brothers, who once famously shared every triumph together, did not exchange a single word or gesture of acknowledgment after the final ball was bowled.
Speculations regarding a fallout have been mounting since India’s T20 World Cup victory. While the country hailed Hardik’s redemption, netizens were quick to point out a “radio silence” from Krunal and his wife, Pankhuri Sharma, on social media. The divide reportedly deepened following Hardik’s divorce from Natasa Stankovic; Krunal and Pankhuri have been frequently spotted supporting Natasa, while Hardik has increasingly been seen in the company of his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma.
As the images of the “no-handshake” moment circulate, the cricketing community remains divided. While some argue it was simply “pure business” in a competitive tournament, others believe the personal fractures between the brothers are now spilling onto the professional stage. With neither brother having addressed the rumors, the Wankhede encounter has only added fuel to the fire of what appears to be a major family fallout.