Krunal Pandya has spoken candidly about the close cricketing relationship he shares with his younger brother Hardik, describing how their constant conversations and shared experiences have shaped them as players. While Hardik often attracts the spotlight for his high-impact all-round displays for India and for his leadership stint in the IPL, Krunal believes their bond has been built on mutual improvement rather than headlines. He also addressed the quiet strain that briefly surfaced during IPL 2026, before underlining why the Pandya family’s success remains rooted in the same shared love for the sport.
Key takeaways
- Krunal Pandya said his bond with Hardik has been strengthened through regular, cricket-focused discussions about improving as players.
- Rumours of distance between the brothers emerged during IPL 2026 after MI faced RCB at the Wankhede Stadium, with their interactions appearing less warm than before.
- Krunal credited tactical and technical conversations for helping both brothers develop over the years.
- Each Pandya brother has won five IPL titles: Krunal has three with MI and two with RCB, while Hardik has four with MI and one with GT as captain.
- Krunal called every IPL trophy “special,” and praised RCB’s auction planning ahead of IPL 2026.
How the Pandya brothers stay connected through cricket chats
In his reflections, Krunal highlighted the special bond he and Hardik have cultivated since both began sharing the same professional path. The pair are widely recognised as one of the most prominent sibling combinations in Indian and global cricket, having played for India together and also spent time in the same IPL dressing rooms.
Krunal stressed that, although Hardik’s role with India and his IPL captaincy naturally bring more attention, the relationship between the two has always been grounded in helping each other grow. He pointed to the fact that they frequently discuss the game—not in vague terms, but through practical details that strengthen decision-making on the field.
Speaking in an interview, Krunal described their conversations as something that has remained consistently constructive. “We’ve obviously played together,” he said, adding that they often speak about cricket from a tactical and technical angle. He said those talks have been beneficial and that the discussions have remained healthy, focused on finding ways to get better.
IPL 2026 rumours: what changed during MI vs RCB at Wankhede
During IPL 2026, whispers began circulating that Krunal and Hardik were no longer as close as they had been previously. The opening spark, Krunal noted through the way the situation was talked about, appeared during the match when MI hosted RCB at the Wankhede Stadium.
Observers noticed both players looked more reserved around each other than in earlier seasons. Rather than the usual warmth, their greetings appeared muted. During the game, Krunal attempted a bouncer against Hardik, and the MI captain seemed taken aback by the delivery.
There was also a widely discussed moment after Hardik was dismissed. When Jacob Duffy and Romario Shepherd combined to get the breakthrough, Krunal celebrated with clear joy, which added to the confusion around the rumours at the time.
Despite the noise around their interactions, Krunal’s comments reinforced that the brothers’ connection has long been based on cricket dialogue and shared growth, not just public chemistry.
Titles, family pride, and Krunal’s view on RCB’s 2026 build-up
Krunal then broadened the focus to their collective success. He noted that both brothers have lifted five IPL trophies apiece. In IPL 2026, Krunal secured his latest title with RCB after the franchise defended their championship. His trophy count with RCB stands at two, with the remaining three coming during his time with MI.
Hardik’s haul, meanwhile, includes four IPL titles with MI and one with GT, which he won while captaining the side.
Reflecting on what it means to share the sport with a brother at the highest level, Krunal said that having a sibling who plays the same game makes it easier to help each other. He also spoke about the family’s wider achievement, mentioning the overall trophy tally within the Pandya household and describing it as a result of consistent blessing and hard work.
After winning the title in Ahmedabad, Krunal added further context about what the IPL title means to him personally. He said that every championship is special because it is earned through constant effort, and compared the unpredictability of trophy wins to the way children are described in popular analogies—something you can’t choose, but only cherish when it arrives. He also expressed gratitude for reaching five trophies across his career over 11 years.
Krunal also turned to RCB’s approach ahead of the auction last year. He praised the way the franchise prepared for the auction and the balance they built into the squad. In his view, getting half the battle right during the auction can set the team up for success, and the rest depends on whether the players deliver when it matters. He finished by saying he was glad RCB managed to defend the trophy back-to-back.
