- Nasima Akter
Pandya Brothers Share Heartfelt Moment After Match
In the world of sports, there are often intense rivalries between teams and players. However, sometimes these rivalries are put aside, and we get to witness heart-warming moments of sportsmanship. Such was the case in a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Gujarat Titans (GT). In an exciting encounter at the IPL 2023, Gujarat Titans triumphed over the Lucknow Super Giants by seven runs on a thrilling Saturday night. The match not only witnessed a fierce competition between the two teams but also a sibling rivalry that added to the drama. The Pandya brothers, Hardik and Krunal, faced off in a clash of the titans. Gujarat Titans captain Hardik was seen trying to sledge his brother Krunal during LSG's inning, but Krunal did not react and simply adjusted his helmet and gloves. This sibling showdown added to the excitement of the already intense match. Both brothers had a good outing in the match. Hardik played a resilient innings of 66 off 50 deliveries, anchoring Gujarat's innings after they lost star opener Shubman Gill for a duck. Krunal, on the other hand, produced a clinical show with the ball and scalped the prize wickets of Gill and Wriddhiman Saha. The opponents could only score 16 runs off his full quota. Krunal also contributed with the bat, scoring a run-a-ball 23, which featured two boundaries and a six.
The match itself was a low-scoring thriller. Gujarat got off to a slow start and could only muster 135/6 in their 20 overs. In response, Lucknow got off to a superb start as the opening pair of Kyle Mayers and KL Rahul drove them to 55/1 in 6.3 overs. But then, after the dismissal of Mayers, Lucknow started to struggle, and wickets fell at regular intervals. With 12 runs required in the final six deliveries with seven wickets in hand, Lucknow still appeared as clear favorites. And so, Mohit Sharma's phenomenal death bowling saved the day for GT as they managed to take four wickets in the final over and LSG could only manage 128/7 in the 136-run chase. Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Pandya brothers showed the world that, in the end, it's all about the love and respect we have for each other. Such moments of sportsmanship inspire us and remind us of the values that sports teach us - teamwork, respect, and fair play. After the match, the Pandya brothers shared a touching moment that showed that despite the rivalry on the field, their love and bond off the field were unbreakable. In a video shared on Twitter, the brothers were seen exchanging their match-worn jerseys and hugging each other out. Hardik took to social media to share the video and wrote, "Only love my brother," showing his affection for his sibling.
Before the match, Krunal shared a funny anecdote about an interaction with his brother, which added to the pre-match excitement. Lucknow Super Giants looked set for victory with a score of 105/1 in 14 overs, chasing a modest target of 136 set by Gujarat Titans. With only 31 runs needed from the next six overs and KL Rahul at the crease, LSG had a real chance of clinching the victory. However, Gujarat Titans' bowlers were up to the challenge and stepped up their game, taking two crucial wickets and conceding only 19 runs in the next five overs. Going into the last over, LSG required 12 runs from the final six balls, with the set Rahul batting on 66. Although it was a challenging target, it was not impossible, but Gujarat Titans' bowler kept their composure and did not allow Rahul to score the required runs. Eventually, the Lucknow Super Giants fell short of their target, and Gujarat Titans emerged victorious by seven runs.
