Shubman Gill has placed a full stop on all rumors of a rift with Hardik Pandya after their face-off in the IPL 2025 Eliminator. In an engrossing encounter at Mullanpur’s New PCA Stadium, Hardik’s Mumbai Indians edged past Gill’s Gujarat Titans in a match that generated as much talk off the field as it did on it.
Tense Toss Sparks Speculation
The gossip is said to have started during the toss itself. While Hardik went forward to take the traditional handshake, Gill appeared to ignore it, though the latter also appeared to have extended the had initially. Hardik finally went on for the post-toss interview without the handshake; what transpired on the field only added fuel to the fire.
When Hardik dismissed Gill in the second innings, he didn’t hold back in celebration, charging past the GT skipper and shouting “Come on!” as his MI teammates swarmed around him. The moment went viral within minutes, fuelling wild claims of an ‘ego clash’ between the former GT teammates.
Shubman Gill Responds on Instagram Story
Social media was quick to paint the evening as a personal showdown between two of Indian cricket’s most prominent figures. But Gill has now broken silence on the issue. Addressing the noise, the GT captain took to Instagram on Saturday with a two-picture collage featuring him and Hardik and wrote: “Nothing but love (Don’t believe everything you see on the internet).”
Shubman Gill and Hardik Share a Strong Past
The two men go a long, long way back. In Gujarat Titans’ maiden season in 2022, Hardik and Gill were the franchise’s first two choices, while Pandya led the team and Gill stabilized the top order. The trio guided GT to a stunning title in their first year itself.
Even now in 2023, Gill excelled under the all-rounder’s captaincy, closing out with a record 890 runs in the season. But the dynamics changed in 2024 when Pandya joined Mumbai Indians and Gill took over as GT captain.
Gill’s Clarification Puts Rumours to Rest
Thursday’s hot contest saw the erstwhile friends turn sworn enemies, at least on the pitch. But Gill’s tweet put all the talk to rest, with a reminder that not every blazing moment must mean ill will.
With MI set to move into Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, attention turns back to the cricket. Gill, on his part, will be back in action when India host England in the opening Test of the series in Headingley on June 20; the young man will captain the Test side for the first time on the occasion.
