In match no.50, between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow, there was an exchange between Nicholas Pooran and Krunal Pandya. The two were seen having a word between themselves during the first innings, while LSG were batting in a must-win game of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
The incident occurred after the rain break when Arshin Kulkarni’s wicket was taken by the RCB all-rounder. Then, the first ball he bowled to Nicholas Pooran was a bouncer, and the second ball was also a bouncer, and Pooran took a single this time. After Nicholas Pooran went to the non-striker end, the two came close against each other, exchanging a few words.
A friendly face-off between Nicholas Pooran and Krunal Pandya
Nicholas Pooran and Krunal Pandya were once teammates at the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons. The West Indies superstar has faced Krunal thrice and scored 26 runs with a strike rate of 152.94, and smashed a couple of sixes and one four. Though the words exchanged are still unknown.
However, it is believed that it was a friendly exchange, as the fans have often witnessed from players who have played with each other for the same franchise and then played against each other.
Nicholas Pooran struggles with form
Nicholas Pooran has had his struggles in this IPL as he has scored 159 runs this season with an average of 17.67, scoring just one fifty so far this season, with a strike rate of 121.37. In today’s game, he is unbeaten with the score 14 runs off 9 deliveries.
Pooran will look to score some runs tonight as well, backing his half-century from the last game. As LSG are at a good stage with the score being 145/1 at the end of 14 overs. He will look to fire power after the rain break, as the play has been stopped yet again, making it the third time.
Krunal Pandya crisis man for RCB
Krunal Pandya has been in good form in this IPL as well. He has picked up 10 wickets so far in the tournament from 10 games and has bowled well in the middle overs. Though not much batting has come for him this season.
But surely, Krunal Pandya has rediscovered himself in RCB, as he was the Player of the Match last season in the final against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Today, he has also picked up one wicket, which is the only wicket so far in the innings.
Mitchell Marsh rises for LSG
Coming to the game, Mitchell Marsh has scored his second IPL hundred in just 49 deliveries. From the very start of the match, he looked in sublime touch among the 145 runs scored.
Marsh himself has scored 107 runs so far and remained unbeaten. This is a must-win game for LSG if they fail to win, they will probably be knocked out of the IPL 2026, as they have failed to win any of their home games this season so far.
