The intense rivalry of the IPL 2026 season witnessed a momentary spark of friction during the high-stakes encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
A heated exchange between RCB’s Krunal Pandya and LSG powerhouse Nicholas Pooran sent social media into a frenzy after Krunal delivered a series of aggressive bouncers to his former teammate. However, what looked like a brewing “lafda” (feud) was quickly extinguished by a heartwarming post-match gesture.
The Bouncer That Started It All
The tension peaked during a critical over when Krunal, spearheading the RCB attack, sent two consecutive short-pitched deliveries whistling past Pooran’s helmet. The cameras caught the duo locked in a sharp verbal back-and-forth, momentarily halting play as the umpire stepped in. Given the history of competitive friction between these two franchises, fans were quick to speculate that the relationship between the two stars had soured.
A Viral Resolution: “How Was the Bouncer?”
Dismissing any rumors of a rift, Krunal Pandya took to Instagram shortly after the game to share a photo with the West Indian star. In a witty post that has since garnered millions of likes, Krunal wrote: “No lafda, only love. Congrats to my bro on completing 100 IPL games. Proud of you brother, many more to come. Btw, how was the bouncer?”
Pooran, who was celebrating his 100th IPL appearance, responded in kind, proving that while the competition in the middle remains fierce, the brotherhood remains intact. The humorous reference to the on-field aggression became an instant hit with the “IPL Twitter” community, who praised the duo for keeping the drama strictly within the boundaries.
The Spirit of IPL 2026
The incident serves as a perfect microcosm of the current IPL season—ultra-competitive on the turf but deeply respectful off it. Despite the pressure of the 2026 playoffs race, the exchange highlighted that milestones like a 100th game carry more weight than a temporary flare-up. Krunal’s “No lafda” declaration has now become a trending slogan among fans, effectively ending one of the week’s most talked-about cricketing controversies on a high note.