[WATCH] Sibling Rivalry Takes Center Stage as Hardik and Krunal Pandya Sledge Each Other
Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans had the last laugh against LSG (IPLT20.com)
In a highly anticipated match between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the sibling rivalry between Hardik and Krunal Pandya was brought to the fore in a dramatic display.
As Krunal walked out to bat at No. 3 for LSG, Hardik was seen exchanging heated words with his brother, evidently eager to gain an edge in the match.
In a video posted by the digital broadcaster JioCinema, the GT skipper could hear his teammates barking instructions on how to dismiss Krunal, revealing the intense competitive spirit that permeated the match.
However, Krunal remained unfazed by his brother's provocations, steadfastly focused on the task as he adjusted his gloves and helmet.
"We were pulling our legs a bit. He told me before the game that I will go after you, I told him that the last time he went after me, I got him out so don't repeat the mistake," Krunal revealed to the broadcasters after the match.
As the match progressed, LSG appeared to be in a commanding position, having reached 105/1 in 14 overs while chasing a modest target of 136 against the defending champions GT. With only 31 runs needed off the remaining six overs and the formidable KL Rahul at the crease, victory seemed well within reach of LSG.
However, the GT bowlers staged a remarkable comeback, conceding just 19 runs and taking two wickets in the next five overs, thereby putting the match on a knife edge.
As the game approached its climax, the tension was palpable, with LSG needing 12 runs off the last six balls to seal an improbable victory. However, GT's Mohit Sharma proved to be the hero of the moment, producing a mesmerising display of bowling that snuffed out LSG's hopes of victory.
The veteran bowler picked up the crucial wickets of Rahul and Marcus Stoinis off the second and third balls of the final over, leaving LSG reeling.
Then, to compound LSG's misery, the fourth and fifth deliveries of the over resulted in two runouts, as Ayush Badoni and Deepak Hooda were caught short of their ground while attempting risky runs. With that, LSG's fate was sealed in the game, ultimately losing by a margin of seven runs.
 "Jatin")
