Hardik Pandya and former India spinner-turned-commentator Murali Kartik has gone viral on social media ahead of the second T20I between India and New Zealand in Raipur on Friday.A fan-recorded video from inside the stadium shows Pandya walking onto the field in his practice kit, carrying a bat and gloves.
As he enters, he lightly bumps into Murali Kartik. They first shake hands and greet people around them, but the situation soon changes. A few moments later, Hardik looks upset and is seen having a heated conversation with Kartik. The exact reason for the argument is not known. Kartik appears to explain something and tries to calm Hardik down. The video ends while they are still talking, leaving fans unsure about what caused the incident.
🚨 Hardik Pandya angry at Murali Kartik
– Hardik Pandya had an argument with Murali Kartik before the IND vs NZ 2nd ODI in Raipur. pic.twitter.com/axpjLykXfY— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 23, 2026
Hardik played a useful knock in the first T20I in Nagpur, scoring 25 off 16 balls with three fours and a six. He also picked up a key wicket in his two-over spell, helping the team cross the 230-run mark.
Former Cricketers Opinions About Hardik Pandya
- Aakash Chopra (Former India Opener): “Team India is incomplete without Hardik Pandya. There is only one Hardik in the entire world. What he provides with bat and ball, no one else in India can do”.
- Ex Batting Coach Vikram Rathour : Highlighted that Hardik unlocks India’s best combination and emphasized there is no other player like him.
- Kiran More (Former India Wicketkeeper): Referred to him as a “lion-hearted” cricketer.
Vijay Shankar (Teammate/All-rounder): Described him as a “terrific cricketer”.
If we remove Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya is 2nd best fast bowler in Indian team. And he is not even a full time bowler. 😭 pic.twitter.com/KvENLRc8w2
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) January 23, 2026
During the Raipur T20I Pandya has overtaken Virat Kohli to become India’s second-most capped player in men’s T20 internationals.
Pandya reached this milestone in his 126th T20I match, going past Kohli, who played 125 T20Is before retiring from the format. Former captain Rohit Sharma is still India’s most capped T20I player with 159 matches, before he retired from international cricket in 2024.
