# When Brothers Become Rivals: The Pandya Rift That Cricket Fans Can’t Stop Talking About

URL: https://technosports.co.in/brother-rivals-the-pandya-rift/  
Published: 2026-04-13  
Updated: 2026-04-13  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

The IPL 2026 just served up its spiciest subplot — and it has nothing to do with runs or wickets. It’s about two brothers, a viral celebration, and a silence louder than any crowd at Wankhede.

## What Happened at MI vs RCB?

During the Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru clash at Wankhede Stadium, Krunal Pandya — playing for RCB — was caught on camera celebrating his younger brother Hardik Pandya’s dismissal with unusual intensity. The brothers barely exchanged a glance throughout the match, and Krunal skipped the customary handshake with Hardik after the game ended.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) went into overdrive. “Krunal Pandya never celebrated Hardik’s wicket like he did today,” one user wrote, while others asked, “Is everything normal between them??”

![Pandya](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/haad.jpg)

## Timeline of the Alleged Rift

| Event | What Happened |
| --- | --- |
| T20 World Cup 2026 | Krunal posted no congratulatory message for Hardik’s winning effort |
| Post-match social media | Krunal’s wife Pankhuri didn’t like/comment on Hardik’s celebration posts |
| MI vs RCB, IPL 2026 | Krunal wildly celebrates Hardik’s wicket; no post-match interaction |

For context on how intense IPL rivalries can get between family members, [Wikipedia’s IPL page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Premier_League) gives a fascinating overview of how the tournament has historically created dramatic on-field storylines.

## What Krunal Said Before the Match

Interestingly, Krunal had addressed the elephant in the room before the game. In a video shared by RCB, he said they remain brothers regardless of the on-field competition, and wished the best team — RCB — victory. Yet his on-field behavior told a different story.

## The Natasa Factor?

Fans are also speculating that Hardik’s high-profile divorce from Natasa Stankovic and his very public romance with girlfriend Mahieka Sharma may have created a personal distance between the siblings. Want more on Hardik’s personal life and cricket journey? Check out the [latest IPL 2026 coverage at TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in/) for in-depth analysis and updates.

Neither Hardik nor Krunal has officially commented on any rift — which, honestly, speaks volumes.

**FAQs**

### **Q: Why is Krunal Pandya’s celebration going viral?**

 Krunal was seen celebrating Hardik’s dismissal unusually aggressively during IPL 2026, fuelling fan speculation about a brother fallout.

### **Q: Have Hardik and Krunal Pandya confirmed their rift?**

 No — neither brother has officially addressed or confirmed any personal fallout as of now.