With fresh rumours of a strained relationship between brothers making the rounds, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Krunal Pandya has offered a telling clue about who he rates as an IPL closer. In a recent conversation, Krunal named Hardik Pandya as one of his two favourite finishers in the league—an answer that, for many, effectively undercuts the speculation.
Quick facts
- Krunal Pandya has named his brother Hardik Pandya as one of his two preferred finishers in the IPL.
- Krunal also picked Kieron Pollard as the other finisher.
- The speculation intensified after Hardik’s Mumbai Indians hosted RCB at Wankhede Stadium this past Sunday.
- During that match, Krunal tried a bouncer when Hardik came in, but Hardik ducked under it.
- Hardik was dismissed by Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd, and Krunal appeared visibly delighted.
- Krunal suggested Jasprit Bumrah is the best fast bowler in the IPL.
- For death-over pace bowling, Krunal selected Lasith Malinga instead of Bumrah.
- On Wednesday night, RCB went to the top of the table after beating Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets.
- Krunal named Wankhede Stadium as his favourite away ground, while preferring Chinnaswamy Stadium when he played for MI.
The talk began after Mumbai Indians took on RCB at the Wankhede Stadium earlier this past Sunday. In previous IPL meetings involving their respective teams, Krunal and Hardik had typically shown plenty of warmth when they crossed paths. This time, however, the body language of both brothers was read as a little guarded, and that small shift quickly became fuel for online speculation.
That atmosphere was then heightened during the game itself. When Hardik walked out to bat, Krunal attempted one of his well-known bouncers, but Hardik managed to duck under it successfully. The reaction from Hardik looked as though he hadn’t anticipated that particular delivery from his own brother.
Moments later, Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd combined to end Hardik’s stay at the crease. Krunal’s celebration after the wicket stood out too—visibly over the top in the eyes of some viewers—while Hardik appeared surprised once again, even if the dismissals had nothing to do with anything off the field.
How social media read it
Not everyone interpreted the sequence the same way. One line of thinking was that the bigger reason for Krunal’s joy might simply be cricket: Hardik may have looked like a threat to finish off MI’s chase, so his dismissal would have been a relief. Another interpretation framed it as Krunal prioritising the team’s cause at that moment, rather than any personal angle.
Still, social media leaned toward a different narrative. Many argued that MI’s chase of 240 had been stuck in a difficult phase for much of the innings, so the intensity of Krunal’s celebration didn’t “fit” with the context of the match. That mismatch is what helped the rift talk gain traction online.
Now, Krunal has offered a response of sorts—by naming Hardik as a preferred finisher. When asked who he considered the best closer in the IPL, Krunal didn’t hesitate, putting his brother’s name forward, alongside Kieron Pollard.
There was also a reminder of their shared past: Krunal, Hardik, and Pollard have all been part of Mumbai Indians at different times. In the same set of quick questions, Krunal’s bowling answers drew attention as well.
When asked about the best fast bowler in the league, Krunal named Jasprit Bumrah immediately. But when the question shifted to the best death-over pace specialist, Krunal went for Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga—choosing him over Bumrah.
On the performance front, Krunal’s current team is riding high. RCB went to the top of the standings on Wednesday night after a dominant five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. In that context, Krunal also spoke about where he likes to play away from home.
Krunal pointed to Wankhede Stadium as his favourite venue when he’s not playing for MI. Yet during his time with Mumbai Indians, his preferred ground was the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru—highlighting how comfort can change depending on the franchise and role.
