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Ayushi Singh

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Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya

Shubman Gill refutes rift rumors with Hardik Pandya following IPL 2025 Eliminator

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Nerves certainly run high in a do-or-die match at a stage as crucial as an IPL Eliminator. Meanwhile, the demeanor of players engaged in such thrilling battles is often read into a bit too much. The GT vs MI IPL 2025 Eliminator was not spared by the keen eyes of the fans either. Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, rounded off against Hardik Pandya and Co. in Mullanpur. While the Eliminator staged a thrilling fight for the chance in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, the interactions, or lack thereof, of the Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill piqued the interest of the netizens.

Shibman Gill dashes the speculations of an 'ego clash' with Hardik Pandya following the IPL 2025 Eliminator

The GT vs MI IPL 2025 Eliminator proved one charged-up battle. Despite MI mounting a momentous 228-run stand, GT kept the chase alive. Rohit Sharma led the opening innings with an 81-run knock, as Mumbai Indians were further fueled by the powerplay assault of Jonny Bairstow and a sublime finish by Hardik Pandya. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, rued the lost chances in the field as Rohit was dropped twice in the powerplay before the wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis dropped Suryakumar Yadav in the middle overs.

In the chase, GT took an early blow as Trent Boult trapped Shubman Gill early in an LBW dismissal. The GT skipper departed at a paltry score of 1. However, Sai Sudharsan stepped up with yet another half-century. Sudharsan's 80-run knock, along with the quickfire 48 off 24 by Washington Sundar, kept Gujarat Titans in the hunt for the win in the Eliminator. However, Jasprit Bumrah brought the breakthrough, as the premium seamer dismissed Sundar with a scintillating yorker. Eventually, MI won the IPL 2025 Eliminator by 20 runs as the campaign ended for Shubman Gill and Co.

Following the conclusion of the IPL 2025 Eliminator, the internet was flooded with videos suggesting a rift between Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya. The speculation took flight right at the toss. As Hardik reached out for the traditional handshake, Gill appeared to overlook the gesture, though some replays suggested he had already offered his hand moments earlier. The exchange, or lack thereof, concluded with Hardik walking off for the toss interview, and the intrigue only deepened once the match got underway.

In the second innings, when Boult dismissed Gill, emotions ran high. The MI captain celebrated emphatically, letting out a loud “Come on!” as he raced past the GT skipper, with teammates rallying around. The fiery celebration instantly went viral, prompting widespread theories of an ego-driven clash between the two high-profile stars.

Social media was quick to frame the encounter as a personal grudge match between former teammates.  The two share a significant history, back in the maiden IPL season of Gujarat Titans in 2022, Hardik and Gill were among the franchise’s marquee picks. Pandya captained the team while Gill anchored the batting lineup. Their partnership culminated in a dream title win in GT’s debut year. Even in the following season, Gill flourished under Hardik’s leadership, amassing a record-setting 890 runs. But the equation shifted in 2024 when Hardik returned to Mumbai Indians and Gill took over the reins at Gujarat Titans.

Their recent on-field clash may have portrayed them as rivals, but Gill’s response has served to cool the tension and suggest that fiery competition doesn’t always imply personal conflict. A day after the IPL 2025 Eliminator and hours into the speculations running rampant on the internet, Shubman Gill decided to dash the rumors. The young batsman took to his social media account, where he posted his on-field photos with Hardik Pandya. In his Instagram story, Gill directly addressed the speculations, calling for the viewers to not believe everything they see on the internet.

"Nothing but love (Don’t believe everything you see on the internet)," the GT captain captioned his Instagram story.

With the win against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur, Mumbai Indians have set up their Qualifier 2 clash against Punjab Kings. The PBKS vs MI IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 is scheduled for Sunday, May 31 in Ahmedabad. Shubman Gill, meanwhile, will shift his focus to Test cricket, where he is set to take up India's captaincy. Gill, along with his GT opening partner, Sai Sudharsan, will join India A for the second Test against England Lions before the five-match India vs England Test series kicks off on June 20 in Headingley.

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