The IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 7 was already full of pressure and intensity, but one heated moment between Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran left everyone shocked at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
IPL fans have seen arguments and aggressive celebrations many times before, but the fiery fight between Pandya and Pooran looked very serious for a few moments. Both players came extremely close to each other during the heated exchange, and it almost felt like things could go completely out of control.
Nicholas Pooran loses cool after Krunal Pandya’s aggressive sledge in IPL 2026
The dramatic incident happened during the 10th over of Lucknow Super Giants’ innings when Krunal Pandya came in to bowl. The RCB spinner had just dismissed young batter Arshin Kulkarni and was bowling with a lot of aggression and confidence.
After Kulkarni’s wicket, Pooran walked in to bat under pressure. Krunal then tested the dangerous left-hander with a sharp short ball at good pace. Pooran managed to take a single, but the tension between the two players had already started building.
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Things exploded on the next delivery. Pooran attacked the ball towards the long-on region and comfortably completed another single. But immediately after the shot, Krunal appeared to taunt the LSG batter by saying, “Show me the six-meter shot,” while walking in his direction.
That instantly triggered an angry reaction from Pooran. The West Indies batter turned around and walked straight towards Pandya. The RCB all-rounder also stepped forward aggressively, and within seconds both players were standing almost head-to-head in the middle of the ground.
Former LSG teammates exchanged heated words, and social media exploded immediately with the clips and reactions from the fiery moment. However, the drama did not completely end there.
🔴 HEATED MOMENT BETWEEN KRUNAL PANDYA & NICHOLAS POORAN 🔥
– See Krunal reaction 🥶
— Sam (@Cricsam01) May 7, 2026
Nicholas Pooran grabs Krunal Pandya by collar after LSG vs RCB clash
After LSG managed to crush RCB by 9 runs in Lucknow, another video started going viral online where Pooran was seen grabbing Pandya by the collar, but it was friendly banter.
Both players were seen smiling, talking normally, and eventually shaking hands before leaving the field. The incident may have created headlines, but thankfully things cooled down between the two players.
Nicholas Pooran and Krunal Pandya having a friendly banter? 😳 pic.twitter.com/hyYoj2J0d7
— Deepu (@deepu_drops) May 8, 2026
Will BCCI take action against Krunal Pandya and Nicholas Pooran for ugly fight?
The fiery on-field clash between Pooran and Pandya could now put both players in trouble. There is now a strong possibility that the IPL may review the incident under different sections of the IPL Code of Conduct. Both players could face fines or disciplinary action for their aggressive behavior.
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It was the breach of Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct. This article is related to using words, gestures, or actions that can provoke an angry or aggressive reaction from another player. Since Pandya was seen saying something to Pooran right before the argument exploded, this rule may apply.
The incident may also come under Article 2.12, which deals with inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players during a match. Both players came extremely close to each other during the confrontation, and that moment is now being discussed heavily online.
Apart from that, Article 2.20 could also be looked at by the IPL officials. This article is linked to behavior that goes against the spirit of the game and damages the image of cricket.
