WATCH: Hardik Pandya hurls expletive, involves in ugly staredown with Sai Kishore; GT star says 'inside the field...'

Hardik Pandya hurls expletive, involves in ugly staredown with Sai Kishore (AP Photo)

Hardik Pandya didn't have the ideal start to IPL 2025. Playing his first match on Saturday, Pandya-led Mumbai Indians endured a crushing 36-run loss against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Pandya responded to the early pressure built by opposition captain Shubman Gill and in-form Sai Sudharsan as the pair added 78 runs for the opening wicket. The all-rounder provided Mumbai with the first breakthrough and removed Gill for 38(27) and eventually completed his quota of overs with two scalps. In the field, Pandya contributed with a catch and a run-out but misfired completely with the bat in the 197-run chase.

Pandya was dismissed for 11 off 17 balls and during the course of his short innings he was also involved in an ugly staredown battle against opposition spinner Sai Kishore. The incident took place in the 15th over of the Mumbai chase as Pandya gently pushed the ball, which resulted in a dot.

However, after doing so he and the bowler gave each other a long stare and TV replay also showed Pandya hurl expletive at the spinner. Before things could escalate further, the on-field umpire intervened and broke the tension. Here is the video:

GAMEHardik Pandya Sai Kishore - teammates then, rivals now!Watch the LIVE action https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp#IPLonJioStar#GTvMI | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/2p1SMHQdqc

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Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 29, 2025

Following the match, Pandya was seen making amends with Sai Kishore as the duo also shared a long hug, which was followed with a bright smile on Pandya's face. When asked to Sai Kishore to weigh-in on the incident, the spinner told: "He is a very good friend of mine, inside the field it should be like that. Anyone is an opponent but we do not take anything personally."

Pandya made a return after serving a ban, which forced him to sit out of Mumbai Indians' opener against Chennai Super Kings. The ban was due to slow over-rate from the previous season.

Meanwhile, Mumbai are yet to open their account in the ongoing season and will hope for a change in fortune when they host defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in their next match, which will be played at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.