‘No trouble, only love’: Krunal Pandya reacts to Pooran collar-grab moment

A video clip from the IPL 2026 match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went viral after it appeared to show Nicholas Pooran grabbing RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya by the collar during a tense on-field exchange.

The moment quickly sparked debate on social media, with many viewers interpreting it as a heated confrontation and some even calling for disciplinary action.

The incident reportedly took place after a brief exchange between the two players during the match, where Pooran hit a six off Pandya’s bowling. The situation escalated momentarily when words were exchanged at the end of the over, followed by the clip showing physical proximity and Pooran holding Pandya by the collar while pointing fingers. The visuals triggered widespread discussion about on-field conduct and sportsmanship.

However, Krunal Pandya later clarified that the moment was misinterpreted and was not a serious altercation. Taking to social media, he described it as friendly banter between the two players, who share past dressing-room familiarity. He also congratulated Pooran for completing 100 IPL matches, adding that there was “no trouble, only love,” effectively downplaying the viral controversy.

The clarification helped ease speculation, shifting the narrative from confrontation to camaraderie. It also highlighted how quickly short video clips from high-intensity matches can be misread without full context, especially in emotionally charged sporting environments.

Meanwhile, the match itself reflected contrasting fortunes for both franchises in IPL 2026. RCB have been in strong form with consistent wins, while LSG have struggled with results and face an uphill battle to stay in playoff contention.