New Delhi: 

Gujarat Titans (GT) registered their first victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as they defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 36 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday. It was a second consecutive loss for the five-time IPL-winning franchise, which saw a return of their original skipper, Hardik Pandya. During the game, he claimed the spotlight by engaging in a heated face-off with GT’s Sai Kishore.

Sai Kishore breaks silence

Post-match, Sai Kishore was interviewed by Ian Bishop for the host broadcaster who straightforward asked, “No love lost with Hardik?” Sai was quick to reply saying, “Nope, he’s a good friend of mine, inside the field it should be like that. Inside the field, anybody is an opponent but we don’t take things personally. We are good competitors, that’s how I think the game should be.”

As the moment gained attention on the internet, the spat was soon settled as the two players shared a warm hug when the match reached its conclusion. As players from both sides were on field doing handshakes, Pandya and Sai Kishore hugged it out, reaffirming their friendship and giving sign of true sportsmanship as well. It is understood that the players share a healthy rivalry and don’t let anything on-field get personal.

What actually happened?

The spat took place during the 15th over of MI’s 197-run chase. Sai Kishore bowled a flighted fourth delivery which Hardik played it straight back to the bowler. As he went to collect the ball, he shot a glare down the batter and Hardik locked eyes with him as well. The batter then gestured by swinging his arm and seemed to have uttered a cuss word. However, Sai Kishore kept looking at him until the umpire intervened as the players got close to each other.

The face-off involved the two players giving each other long stares before the on-field umpire intervened. As the game concluded, Sai Kishore was asked about the incident with Hardik, but he played it down by saying they still remain good friends. The moment took the internet by storm as several pictures and videos of it went viral, with the netizens giving their views.

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