Kamal Ghorui
Lucknow Super Giants batter Nicholas Pooran and Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya were involved in a brief on-field exchange during a tense IPL 2026 clash in Lucknow on Thursday. The moment came during a high-pressure encounter with LSG desperately needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Pooran, who had returned to form with an important knock against Mumbai Indians in the previous game, was promoted to No. 3 once again in a crucial phase of the innings. Krunal played a direct role in bringing the left-hander to the crease after dismissing opener Arshin Kulkarni earlier in the innings. The RCB spinner immediately tried to unsettle Pooran with a surprise 119 kmph bouncer on the very first delivery he faced. The LSG batter appeared caught off guard by the pace and bounce and failed to make any connection. Krunal followed it up with another short ball on the next delivery. This time, Pooran managed to get bat on it and collected a single. However, after completing the run, Pooran walked towards Krunal and exchanged a few words with his former teammate. The interaction briefly looked heated on camera before both players quickly moved on, with Krunal returning to his bowling mark to continue the over. Interestingly, both players share a history together at LSG, having previously played alongside each other before Krunal moved to RCB. The match itself turned into a run-fest despite multiple rain interruptions reducing it to a 19-overs-a-side contest. Mitchell Marsh starred for LSG with a sensational 111 off just 56 balls, smashing nine fours and nine sixes to power his side to 209 for 3. Marsh added 95 runs with Arshin Kulkarni and another 70-run stand with Pooran, who contributed 38 runs. LSG captain Rishabh Pant also chipped in with a quick unbeaten 32 off 10 deliveries. For RCB, Krunal finished with figures of 1 for 31, while Josh Hazlewood picked up one wicket as well.
