Hardik Pandya, Captain Suryakumar Yadav Pull Up Kuldeep For Fielding Lapse
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav reprimand Kuldeep Yadav for dropping a catch during post-match celebrations.
An on-field moment involving Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav caught fans’ attention after India’s emphatic 61-run win over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at R. Premadasa Stadium.
The brief tension surfaced during the customary post-match handshakes after the India national cricket team bowled out the Pakistan national cricket team for 114. Pandya, who claimed the final wicket, appeared visibly upset with Kuldeep, while captain Suryakumar was also seen speaking sternly to the left-arm wrist spinner. Teammates including Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh were spotted nearby, with the latter seemingly attempting to ease the situation.
The frustration reportedly stemmed from a dropped catch moments earlier in the innings. During Pandya’s over, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi pulled a short delivery toward the long-on boundary, where Kuldeep positioned himself but failed to complete the catch, allowing the ball to cross the ropes for six. Although the lapse did not alter the match outcome, such errors can prove costly in tighter contests.
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Despite the brief on-field exchange, India’s overall performance remained dominant. Earlier, the team posted 175/7 riding on Ishan Kishan’s aggressive 77, before the bowlers combined to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup. The comprehensive victory ensured India’s qualification for the Super Eight stage of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Suryakumar emphasized that the team executed its planned style of cricket effectively and credited the decision to bat first on the slow surface. His remarks focused on the collective performance, particularly Kishan’s form with the bat.
While the animated moment sparked concern among some fans on social media, it appeared to be an isolated in-game reaction rather than a serious dispute. India now moves forward in the tournament with momentum, while Pakistan faces a must-win scenario in their final Group A fixture against Namibia to keep their campaign alive.
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