IPL 2025: Rumours of Rift Between Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya Shake Social Media
IPL 2025’s Eliminator clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) didn’t just provide thrilling cricket but also sparked a social media frenzy over a supposed rift between two star players: GT captain Shubman Gill and MI skipper Hardik Pandya. The buzz began on Friday when a couple of awkward moments on the field gave rise to speculation that the two might be at loggerheads.
The Missed Handshake Incident
Right after the toss, viewers and fans noticed something unusual — Hardik Pandya extended his hand for a handshake, but Shubman Gill seemed to completely miss it. The cameras captured Hardik’s hand stretched out, while Gill moved on without acknowledging it. Instantly, fans flooded social media accusing Gill of deliberately ignoring Hardik, hinting at some backstage tension. Such moments, minor as they may be, tend to get amplified in the world of IPL where emotions run high and every gesture is scrutinised.
The LBW Dismissal and Hardik’s Celebration
The speculation didn’t stop there. When Gill got out LBW during the match, Hardik’s celebration caught many off guard. Instead of a usual reaction, Hardik sprinted past Gill, stared at him intensely, and shouted out loud after the dismissal. This odd display was captured on camera and quickly went viral, with fans dissecting every second of the clip, debating if it was competitive spirit or genuine displeasure.
Shubman Gill Breaks Silence to End Rumours
As the rumour mill worked overtime, Shubman Gill decided to put the matter to rest. Taking to Instagram, Gill posted a heartfelt picture with Hardik and captioned it simply but powerfully:
“Nothing but love. (Don’t believe everything you see on the internet).”
He also tagged Hardik in the post, signalling unity and dismissing all talk of a rift.
This quick and honest reaction from Gill helped calm the social media storm, reminding fans that sometimes, what they see on the surface isn’t the whole story.
Mumbai Indians Edge Out Gujarat Titans in Nail-biting Eliminator Thriller
On the cricket front, it was Mumbai Indians who kept their cool under pressure, edging out Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in a high-scoring Eliminator match held in Mullanpur. Despite a valiant fightback from GT’s young sensation Sai Sudharsan, Mumbai Indians' experience and composure shone through on the big stage.
Mumbai Indians’ Batting Fireworks
The innings got off to a blazing start with Jonny Bairstow making an instant impact on his MI debut, smashing 47 runs off just 22 balls. Riding on this momentum, Rohit Sharma, the ever-reliable MI captain, played a classy knock of 81 runs off 50 balls. His innings was a mix of grit and luck, pushing Mumbai Indians to a strong total of 228 for 5 in their 20 overs — a formidable target in any IPL match.
Gujarat Titans’ Late Surge Falls Short
The Titans, though shaky in the field and bowling departments, fought back fiercely, thanks largely to Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant knock of 80 runs off 49 balls. Sudharsan was an absolute delight to watch—his elegant strokeplay contrasted beautifully with the power-hitters on the field, as he placed the ball with surgical precision around the park.
Unfortunately for GT, their dreams were dashed at 208 for 6, just 20 runs short of the target. The match went right down to the wire, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.
The Key Moments That Defined the Match
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Sudharsan’s Heroics: Despite the steep target and heavy dew making conditions tough, Sudharsan’s innings was the standout performance. His graceful batting was a breath of fresh air amid the muscle-driven slogging typical of IPL games.
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Bumrah’s Crucial Wicket: Jasprit Bumrah came through at a crucial moment, dismissing Washington Sundar, who had scored a quick 48 off 24 balls. Bumrah’s trademark yorker proved decisive in slowing down GT’s chase.
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Richard Gleeson’s Brave Final Over: MI debutant Richard Gleeson bowled the last over with Mumbai needing to defend 24 runs. Despite battling a hamstring injury, Gleeson delivered three near-perfect deliveries, effectively sealing the win for Mumbai Indians. The bravery shown by MI’s vice-captain, Suryakumar Yadav, to trust Gleeson in such a crucial moment was commendable. Once the victory was almost certain, Surya took Gleeson off and handed the ball to left-arm seamer Ashwini Kumar to finish the game.
What This Win Means for Mumbai Indians
This victory propels Mumbai Indians to Qualifier 2, scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad against Punjab Kings. It’s a huge boost for MI’s campaign, especially as the team showed resilience and clutch performance under pressure.
For the Titans, despite the exit, the tournament showcased some exciting young talents, especially Sai Sudharsan, whose style and temperament will surely draw more attention in the coming seasons.
IPL 2025 Eliminator Recap: Key Highlights
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Toss Drama: Hardik Pandya offers handshake; Shubman Gill misses it, sparking rumours.
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Viral Moment: Hardik’s celebration post Gill’s dismissal goes viral.
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Shubman Gill’s Response: “Nothing but love,” dispelling rumours on Instagram.
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Mumbai Indians Batting: Bairstow’s 47 off 22, Rohit Sharma’s 81 off 50 power MI to 228/5.
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GT’s Fightback: Sai Sudharsan’s elegant 80 off 49 keeps GT alive till the 16th over.
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Bumrah’s Crucial Wicket: Key wicket of Washington Sundar breaks GT’s momentum.
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Final Over Drama: Injured Gleeson bowls final over under Surya’s captaincy to seal MI win.
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Next Up: MI advance to Qualifier 2 vs Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
Behind the Scenes: What Really Happened Between Gill and Hardik?
The IPL isn’t just about cricket — it’s about drama, emotions, and intense rivalries. But not all drama is real. The Gill-Hardik saga is a classic example of how minor moments on the field can get blown out of proportion. The missed handshake? Could easily be a simple case of Gill’s focus being elsewhere. The celebration? Probably a passionate expression of competitive spirit rather than any personal grudge.
IPL fans love to speculate, but it’s important to remember players are professionals who respect each other. Gill’s social media post tagged Hardik for a reason — there’s no bad blood.
Final Thoughts
IPL 2025 continues to deliver thrilling cricket and captivating stories off the field. As the Mumbai Indians move ahead with confidence, and Gujarat Titans reflect on a tough exit, the cricketing world watches eagerly for the upcoming qualifiers. And as for the Gill-Hardik rumours? Well, sometimes it’s best to enjoy the cricket and not get lost in the noise of social media drama.
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