Courtesy: BCCI/IPL/Instagram
IPL 2025 Eliminator between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT) sparked widespread speculation about a potential rift between captains Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill. An awkward moment at the toss, where Gill appeared to overlook Pandya's handshake, coupled with Pandya's animated celebration following Gill's early dismissal, fuelled rumours of tension between the two. Social media buzzed with discussions, interpreting these incidents as signs of discord.
Addressing the swirling rumours, Shubman Gill took to Instagram to set the record straight. He shared a story featuring a smiling photo of himself with Hardik Pandya, captioned: "Nothing but love. (Don’t believe everything you see on the internet) @hardikpandya93". This gesture aimed to dispel any notions of animosity, emphasising the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two Indian cricket stars.
MI set to face PBKS in Qualifier 2 match on June 1
In the match itself, MI posted a formidable total of 228/5, thanks to a stellar 81-run knock by Rohit Sharma and a quickfire 47 from Jonny Bairstow. GT's chase was anchored by Sai Sudharsan's impressive 80, but the team ultimately fell short, finishing at 208/6. Jasprit Bumrah and Richard Gleeson played pivotal roles in MI's bowling attack, securing a 20-run victory for their team.
With this win, Mumbai Indians advanced to Qualifier 2, where they are set to face Punjab Kings for a spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite the on-field drama and off-field speculations, Gill's timely clarification helped shift the focus back to the cricketing action.
