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While fans in Raipur were focused on the New Zealand team’s black armbands during the second T20I against India on January 23, 2026, social media erupted over a viral video showing an intense, animated exchange between Hardik Pandya and commentator Murali Kartik. The footage, captured by a fan at the stadium, has sparked widespread debate about the nature of their conversation just moments before the match began.
IND vs NZ: The animated exchange in Raipur between Hardik Pandya and Murali Kartik
India announced their presence at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium with a viral moment involving Hardik and former spinner Kartik. As Hardik walked out for his pre-match training session carrying his bat and gloves, he was greeted by Kartik near the boundary rope.
While the two initially shared a brief handshake, the interaction quickly escalated into what appeared to be a heated argument. Hardik was seen visibly agitated, launching into an animated monologue with pointed gestures, while Kartik seemed to be attempting to explain his position and calm the all-rounder down. Although the exact details of the conversation were not audible, the intensity of the exchange suggests a clear disagreement as per fans, possibly over recent commentary critiques or Kartik’s on-air slips during the series.
Here’s the video:
Heated exchange between Hardik Pandya and Murali Kartik? Thoughts? 👀
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket)
Also READ: Simon Doull predicts Team India’s “X Factor” for T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand post a formidable 208/6 against India in the Raipur T20I
While the Black Caps managed to post a formidable 208/6, Hardik was arguably India’s most influential presence on the field, especially during a middle-over squeeze that briefly checked the visitors’ momentum. Beyond his bowling figures of 1/25 in 3 overs, Hardik was a magnet for the ball in the field, remarkably claiming three crucial catches to dismiss Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell. His wicket of Mark Chapman in the 17th over was a masterclass in change-of-pace, using a signature slower off-cutter to induce a miscue just as the left-hander looked to accelerate.
Throughout the innings, Hardik displayed exceptional game awareness, consistently hitting a difficult length that forced even a well-set Mitchell Santner to rethink his scoring options. His economy rate of 8.33 was particularly impressive given the high-scoring nature of the Raipur surface, and his leadership in the ring provided vital support to captain Suryakumar Yadav. As India prepares for a massive chase of 209, Pandya’s all-round impact has already set the stage for what could be a series-defining performance by the premier all-rounder.
