A sharp flash of emotion between Nicholas Pooran and Krunal Pandya stole the limelight during a blockbuster IPL 2026 game in Lucknow, where Lucknow Super Giants edged Royal Challengers Bengaluru by nine runs on Thursday.
On-field flashpoint and the viral moment
The attention-grabbing incident unfolded while LSG were batting. It came after Krunal bowled a short ball to Pooran. The left-handed batter pulled the delivery down the ground for a single, but as he finished the run, Krunal walked up towards him and the two appeared to exchange a few words.
Although the brief confrontation didn’t immediately spiral into anything more serious, cameras later captured a further interaction between the pair once the moment had passed. A clip that has since gone viral shows Pooran playfully grabbing Krunal by the collar during their conversation.
Despite the intensity of the visuals, the exchange looked cordial. After the match, both players were seen smiling and sharing a handshake, suggesting any tension had quickly dissipated.
Marsh’s defining century powers LSG
The dramatic exchange landed in the middle of a high-octane, rain-affected contest. In the end, LSG posted 209/3 in 19 overs after being asked to bat first, with Mitchell Marsh delivering one of the tournament’s standout innings.
Marsh struck the RCB bowlers all around the ground, building a dominant platform. Skipper Rishabh Pant then provided crucial late impetus with an explosive knock, helping lift the scoring rate further.
Pooran also contributed with a quick cameo as LSG comfortably crossed the 200-run mark, setting up a chase that looked daunting on a shortened game.
RCB’s chase: early setbacks, late fight
RCB’s run chase began poorly. Early strikes dismissed Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell, leaving the visitors struggling at 9/2.
From there, captain Rajat Patidar attempted to change the momentum, striking a superb 61 off 31 balls. Tim David then added another surge, smashing 40 off 17 deliveries and bringing the game closer to the edge.
Romario Shepherd and Krunal Pandya kept RCB within touching distance through the final stages of the chase, but Digvesh Singh Rathi held his nerve at the death to ensure LSG held on.
In a tense finish, Lucknow Super Giants ultimately sealed the result by nine runs, with the contest decided at the final hurdle—while the Pooran-Krunal exchange provided an unforgettable side story amid the fireworks.
