Lucknow Super Giants travelled to Gujarat to play defending champions Gujarat Titans. The game was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This was the 51st game of the 2023 season of the TATA Indian Premier League. Lucknow saw their last game rained off against Chennai, while losing to Bangalore previously. Gujarat had come off an easy 9 wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur few days ago.
The story so far –
Regular skipper for Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul had ruled himself out of the tournament. The 31 year old had injured himself in the game against Bangalore when he got hurt while attempting to field the ball. Rahul, will not only miss the rest of IPL 2023 season but also the World Test Championship final.
Pandya Brothers unite as captain at the toss –
In the absence of KL Rahul, the captaincy was given to Krunal Pandya. The toss at Ahmedabad was a special one for both the players. Hardik and Krunal started their careers at Mumbai Indians. Both played for India for while together, before going their ways to different IPL teams after being released by Mumbai Indians.
It was an emotional moment at toss time, as both the brothers were seen talking. Hardik Pandya was all smiles as he was seen playing with his brother Krunal Pandya’s hat and then gave him a huge hug. This was the first time the two brothers were captaining a side against each other.
The two Pandya brothers are up against one another here in Ahmedabad.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2023
Who do you reckon will come on Top after Match 51 of the #TATAIPL #GTvLSG pic.twitter.com/Zvh2kRRjwN
Emotional Krunal Pandya remembers their father –
Himanshu Pandya the father of Hardik and Krunal passed away a few years ago. In what was an emotional address at toss time, Hardik Pandya said “ Our father would definitely be proud. Its an emotional moment for my family”.
Gujarat blazes its way to an electric start –
Wriddhiman Saha showed his class with the bat as he smashed a 20 ball half century. The veteran wicket keeper batter scored 81 off 43 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes. Hardik Pandya scored 25 off 14 balls before Krunal took his catch off Mohsin Khan’s bowling as the score reached 184/2 from 16 overs.
Twitter reacts –
The whole moment between the Pandya brothers had the fans hearts melt and you can read all the fan reactions on twitter below.
The only set of brothers to captain two different IPL teams at the same time - Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya😎
— Divyansh khanna (@meme_lord2663) May 7, 2023
Beautiful Moment 💙💜 !#GTvLSG #Hardikpandya #Krunalpandya pic.twitter.com/vTrx7n0rJg
Hardik Pandya said - "It's an emotional day, our father would have been proud. This is something happening for the first time, family is proud. One thing one Pandya will definitely win today". (On He & Krunal Pandya captaining teams in same match) pic.twitter.com/0ofpZWcP1r
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) May 7, 2023
IPL and Jio Sports marketing team forgot to market today's match as Pandya vs Pandya battle.
— Rahman Sheikh IRTS (@rahmanology) May 7, 2023
Hardik Pandya captaining Gujarat and his brother Krunal Pandya captaining Lucknow.@mufaddal_vohra
Pandya vs Pandya
— VIKRAM (@iamkartikvikram) May 7, 2023
Hardik and Krunal had grown up and living the dream which every Indian brothers duo who used to play cricket must have seen once in a life
What a feat#GTvLSG #LSGvsGT
What a moment for Pandya brothers! Krunal to captain LSG and Hardik to captain GT in today’s @IPL game! 🇮🇳#IPL #GTvsLSG
— Ulfath Uwais (@UlfathUwais) May 7, 2023