A tense moment unfolded during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 29, as former teammates Hardik Pandya and R Sai Kishore were involved in a heated exchange on the field. The incident occurred in the 15th over, with both players exchanging aggressive words before the umpires had to intervene.
What Happened Between Hardik Pandya and R Sai Kishore?
Mumbai Indians, struggling against the GT bowlers, were under pressure when Sai Kishore delivered a tight ball to Hardik Pandya, which the MI captain defended. In an attempt to unsettle the batter, Kishore stared him down after fielding the ball.
Pandya, who captained GT in previous IPL seasons, did not hold back and responded with some verbal aggression, throwing a few expletives at the bowler. Sai Kishore retaliated with his own words, intensifying the on-field altercation. The on-field umpires had to step in and separate the two players before the situation escalated further.
GAME 🔛
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Hardik Pandya ⚔ Sai Kishore – teammates then, rivals now! 👀🔥
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Sai Kishore Downplays the Incident
Speaking about the altercation after the match, R Sai Kishore dismissed any off-field tensions, calling Hardik Pandya a “good friend” and stating that the exchange was simply part of competitive cricket.
“He’s a good friend of mine. Inside the field, it should be like that, but we don’t take things personally,” Kishore told the broadcasters.
The GT spinner played a key role in the team’s 36-run victory, particularly by restricting Suryakumar Yadav in the middle overs.
Sai Kishore Crucial Role in GT Victory
While the on-field spat grabbed headlines, Sai Kishore’s disciplined bowling performance was instrumental in Gujarat Titans’ win. He managed to contain Suryakumar Yadav, preventing the dangerous batter from accelerating MI’s run chase.
“I wasn’t getting as much purchase today, so had to bowl defensively and do a job for the team. The pitch played better than it looked. Suryakumar Yadav played well; he swept all my good-length balls. If someone plays a good shot, you have to credit the batter,” said Kishore.
He also credited GT captain Shubman Gill for advising him on how to bowl to Surya, given his experience facing him in the Indian team nets.
Match Summary: Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians (IPL 2025)
- GT Innings: 196/6 in 20 overs
- MI Innings: 160/8 in 20 overs
- GT Won by 36 Runs
After posting a strong 196-run total, GT’s bowlers dominated the MI batting lineup, despite conditions being favorable for batting. Hardik Pandya’s MI side failed to build momentum, ultimately falling short by 36 runs.
Looking Ahead: Sai Kishore IPL 2025 Ambitions
With a solid start to the season, R Sai Kishore is optimistic about his performance in IPL 2025.
“I’ve been very honest with myself and worked very hard. I’ve watched a lot of games and worked on different aspects for this season. Looking forward to making an impact,” he added.
As IPL 2025 progresses, Gujarat Titans look strong, while Mumbai Indians will need to bounce back quickly from this early setback.
