Watch: Hardik Pandya and Sai Kishore patch-up after mid-pitch breakup in Ahmedabad

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya and Gujarat Titans (GT) spinner R Sai Kishore engaged in a heated exchange on the field during the 9th match of the IPL 2025 season. However, Hardik Pandya and R Sai Kishore were seen hugging after the match, putting any speculation about tension to rest.

Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, secured their first win of IPL 2025 with a 36-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, March 29. Meanwhile, MI endured their second consecutive defeat of the season and are currently in ninth place on the 10-team table.

Watch: Hardik Pandya and R Sai Kishore Exchange Fiery Stares

Sai Kishore and Hardik had a tense exchange during the 15th over of Mumbai's chase. Kishore, who was bowling a tight spell, delivered two dot balls before conceding a boundary. He quickly regained control with another dot.

Pandya responded with a stare and appeared to share words with Kishore, as seen on camera. The bowler returned the stare after collecting the ball following a defensive shot from Pandya. The two players locked eyes, with the MI skipper swinging his arm in a gesture before the umpire stepped in.

GAME 🔛

Hardik Pandya ⚔ Sai Kishore - teammates then, rivals now! 👀🔥

Watch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp #IPLonJioStar 👉 #GTvMI | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/2p1SMHQdqc

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 29, 2025

Hardik Pandya Is a Good Friend of Mine - R Sai Kishore

However, Hardik and Sai Kishore shared a hug and a light moment during the post-match handshake. Kishore, who delivered a steady performance with the ball, ended his four-over spell with figures of 1/37, which included the key dismissal of Robin Minz.

Sai Kishore 🫂 Hardik 🤌
pic.twitter.com/Rlp92ZHJGQ

— 𝙕𝙄𝙈𝘽𝙐 😎 (@Zimbu12_) March 29, 2025

The Gujarat Titans spinner spoke about his on-field exchange with Hardik Pandya. Sai Kishore said that it was just part of the game. He stated that Pandya is a close friend off the field, but every player is an opponent during a match.

"(On the Hardik incident) Nope, he’s a good friend of mine, inside the field it should be like that. Inside the field, anybody is an opponent but we don’t take things personally. We are good competitors, that's how I think the game should be," Sai Kishore said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Hardik Pandya Struggles as Mumbai Indians Suffer Second Consecutive Defeat

The MI skipper finished with figures of 2/29 in his four-over spell. However, he struggled with the bat, scoring only 11 runs off 17 balls. Walking in at 108/4, the team needed 89 runs in the final seven overs.

Suryakumar Yadav was well set at the other end, but Gujarat Titans' disciplined bowling restricted Mumbai, who finished at 160/6, handing Gujarat a 36-run victory. The defeat marked MI’s second consecutive loss in the tournament.

Prasidh Krishna was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat with a match-winning spell of 2/18, earning the Player of the Match award. Mohammed Siraj finished with figures of 2/34, dismissing openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton early.

Also read: 'Hardik Pandya has achieved a lot' - MI coach orders fans to worship Rohit Sharma's successor