![Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya [Source: screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776018096974_KrunalPandyaandHardikPandya.jpg?type=hq)
Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya [Source: screengrab]
It seems like all is not well between the Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal. Even though Krunal Pandya hinted earlier in the day that the two cricketers are still in talking terms, the RCB all-rounder’s recent celebratory act against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, April 12 painted a slightly different picture.
Rumours of a possible rift between the two has been circulating all over the internet for the past couple of months, especially since during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Krunal Pandya ‘wildly’ celebrates the wicket of his brother Hardik Pandya
Defending champions RCB took on age-old rivals Mumbai Indians in match number 20 of the IPL 2026 season on Sunday, April 12 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. During the Mumbai Indians innings in the second half of the game, home captain Hardik Pandya got dismissed for just 40 off 22 balls in a monumental chase of 241.
The hard-hitting all-rounder mistimed one off Jacob Duffy, with Romario Shepherd safely snaring a smart catch at deep backward point.
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Interestingly, Shepherd’s RCB teammate and Hardik Pandya’s brother Krunal Pandya celebrated the wicket with much fervour. Moreover, one can say that Krunal seemed even more excited than fast bowler Duffy as he seemingly ‘enjoyed’ the downfall of his brother.
Weather Krunal Pandya reacted to the occasion in sheer competitive spirit, or genuinely enjoyed Hardik’s downfall in the crucial match, the animated celebration has only added further fuel to the already simmering rumours surrounding a potential rift between the two brothers.
How the rumours first surfaced?
Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya have long shared a strong bond with each other. The two brothers even played a handful of international matches for Team India together, before Krunal fell out of national contention.
Rumours of a possible rift between the two first emerged during India’s 2026 T20 World Cup winning celebration in Ahmedabad last month. Even though Team India won the showpiece event, Krunal as well as his wife Pankhuri Sharma both reportedly did not attend the stadium for the match.
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Moreover, the cricketer even did not share any congratulatory social media post for his brother and India’s T20 World Cup-winning senior all-rounder.
Prior to RCB’s IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians on April 12, Krunal implied that he is still in talking terms with Hardik Pandya, saying “Yes I will be playing against my brother but nothing changes. You know, we both are quite good competitors but we are brother at the end of the day. So, we will give everything on the field and may the best team wins, which is RCB.”
RCB mount 240 upfront
RCB batted first and mounted 240-4 in 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Opening batter Phil Salt top-scored in the innings with a fiery 36-ball 78. Captain Rajat Patidar also blasted 53 from 20 balls, while senior opener Virat Kohli compiled 50 from 38 balls.
Tim David smeared 34* from 16 balls at the death to provide the slog-overs impetus to the innings. For Mumbai Indians, fast bowlers Trent Boult, Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur all picked up a wicket each.
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