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Krunal Pandya rattles Nicholas Pooran with back-to-back bouncers as tense on-field exchange sparks drama

The moment appeared slightly heated on camera, but both players quickly moved on as Krunal Pandya returned to his bowling mark to continue the over.

Updated on: May 7, 2026, 22:53:52 IST
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The IPL clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru witnessed a tense moment involving Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran during a high-pressure encounter. While the exchange did not escalate into anything major, the brief confrontation between the two certainly caught the attention of viewers and fans alike.

Krunal Pandya stuns Nicholas Pooran with sharp bouncers, triggers heated on-field moment. (X Image/screengrab)
Krunal Pandya stuns Nicholas Pooran with sharp bouncers, triggers heated on-field moment. (X Image/screengrab)

With LSG fighting to keep their campaign alive, the pressure was clearly visible on the field. Pooran, who had finally returned to form with a strong knock against Mumbai Indians in the previous game, was once again promoted to bat at number three in a crucial situation. Krunal played a key role in bringing him to the crease after dismissing Arshin Kulkarni earlier in the innings.

The RCB all-rounder immediately tested Pooran with a 119kmph bouncer on the very first delivery he faced. The LSG batter looked completely surprised by the pace and bounce and failed to get anything on it. Krunal followed it up with another bouncer on the next ball, but this time Pooran managed to get some bat on it and picked up a single.

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Mitchell Marsh slams century in rain-affected clash

Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to field at the Ekana Stadium on Thursday. RCB entered the contest after a week-long break, while Lucknow Super Giants came into the game under immense pressure with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. For the Lucknow-based franchise, the equation was simple, a defeat would all but end their chances of reaching the playoffs.

The contest also witnessed multiple interruptions due to rain, which affected the flow of the innings at different stages. Despite the stop-start nature of the game, Mitchell Marsh produced a sensational knock to lift the energy in the LSG camp. The Australian batter smashed a blazing century off just 49 balls and kept his side in a strong position throughout the innings.

At the time of the third rain interruption, Lucknow had lost only one wicket, with Arshin Kulkarni being the lone dismissal. Marsh and Nicholas Pooran were still at the crease and looking dangerous as LSG pushed towards the 220-run mark on a surface that has generally produced several low-scoring and closely fought encounters this season.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari

Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.

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