Shubman Gill Addresses Rift Speculations with Hardik Pandya After GT vs MI IPL 2025 Eliminator

Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper and India’s Test leader Shubman Gill has addressed the rumours surrounding his alleged rift with Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Buzz about possible tension between the two intensified on social media following an awkward interaction during the toss for the IPL 2025 Eliminator clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans on May 30 at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur. The two captains conspicuously skipped their usual handshake, an incident that rapidly went viral.

Online users were quick to come up with their own assumptions, mainly suggesting that there was tension between the two Indian players. But Gill soon responded to the gossip by uploading some photos with Pandya on his Instagram story. At the same time, Shubman Gill shut down all the rumors and ended the speculation by saying:

 "Nothing but love. Don’t believe everything you see on the internet". 

A cute reply from Hardik Pandya to Gill. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rmxsKj10YE

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 31, 2025

Shubman Gill Prepares to Lead India on Challenging England Tour Following IPL Exit

In the high-stakes Eliminator clash, tensions rose when Hardik Pandya’s animated celebration right in front of Shubman Gill after his early dismissal drew significant attention. Gill was trapped leg-before by Trent Boult for just 1 run off 2 deliveries while chasing a daunting target of 229. Despite the early blow, Gujarat Titans showed resilience through a vital 84-run partnership between Sai Sudharsan (80 off 49) and Washington Sundar (48 off 24), keeping hopes alive. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s pinpoint yorker to dismiss Sundar turned the tide allowing Mumbai Indians to regain control. From there, MI’s bowling unit tightened the screws, eventually holding GT to 208/6 and securing a 20-run win to advance.

With their win in the Eliminator, Mumbai Indians will now face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2 on June 1. The winner of that match will earn a place in the final on June 3, where they’ll take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). It promises to be an exciting clash with both teams carrying momentum and fighting for a shot at the title. Fans can expect a high-energy game as the race for the trophy nears its end.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill will now turn his attention to the upcoming England tour, where he’ll lead Team India in a five-match Test series starting June 20. This will be a big test for Gill, not just as a batter but also as a captain especially in tough English conditions. With India entering a new phase in Test cricket, this series is a chance for Gill to lay the foundation for a fresh and promising future.

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