IPL 2023: Hardik Pandya engages in mind games against brother Krunal Pandya during LSG vs GT clash

Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2023, Hardik Pandya welcomed his brother Krunal Pandya on the crease with some banter and some mind games. Notably, after Shubman Gill got dismissed in the second over of the match, Krunal Pandya was promoted up in the order as he came out to bat at number three. Seeing that, Hardik was quick to welcome him with a bit of sledging and a cheeky smile.

However, the senior Pandya didn’t respond much as he adjusted his helmet and gloves before making his way towards the crease. On the whole, Krunal seemed lost in his own zone. Meanwhile, this video has gone viral on social media as the Pandya brothers are hardly seen playing mind games. 

GT defeated LSG by seven runs in a thrilling encounter

Meanwhile, Hardik’s mind games didn’t work much as Krunal went on to add another 23 runs to LSG’s innings. The home team was cruising towards another victory but that’s when things changed completely. Hardik was spot on with his bowling changes towards the fag end of the match and courtesy of which, GT eventually won the match by seven runs.

A lot of credit for setting up the match goes to Noor Ahmed for his excellent spell in the middle overs. The young Afghan spin wizard conceded only 18 runs in his four overs and picked up two wickets in the process. On the other hand, veteran pacers, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma were at their very best in the death overs, which sealed GT’s fate in the match.

Notably, Lucknow were in full control of the game until the 15th over. With KL Rahul still on the crease, victory was a matter of when and not if. However, Gujarat managed to keep the home team under tremendous pressure by bowling economical overs and soon, they were able to hold the grip of the match. Furthermore, with Rahul’s dismissal in the final over, things went completely out of the hands of Lucknow. Ace pacer Mohit Sharma was terrific with his variations in the final over as Gujarat won their fourth match of the season and with that, they are currently fourth on the IPL Points Table.