A post-match war of words between India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav has gone viral on social media, with the former and Pandya seemingly slamming Kuldeep for his below-par
fielding efforts in the fag end of the game against arch-rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
For the eighth time in nine T20 World Cup meetings, India outclassed Pakistan, this time by a dominant 61-run margin. It marked Pakistan’s second-heaviest loss in the tournament’s history, as Suryakumar’s men stormed into the Super Eight stage in emphatic style.
Despite the comfortable victory over Pakistan, a tense post-match moment sparked chatter about possible friction in the Indian camp. Pandya and Suryakumar were seen in an animated exchange with Kuldeep on the field moments after the final wicket fell.
In a video doing the rounds on social media, Pandya appeared animated during the customary handshakes. As the cricketers lined up after the India-Pakistan clash, he was seen gesturing at Kuldeep.
Star batter Tilak Varma watched on with concern, while Rinku Singh stepped in, trying to calm the situation and ease tensions between the teammates. Watch the video here:
Here is video of Hardik Pandya & Surya Kumar Yadav angry on Kuldeep Yadav #INDvsPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/BsGCCprKNc
— cricketkayudh (@cricketkayudh) February 15, 2026
The frustration appeared to stem from a dropped catch by Kuldeep in the final over of Pakistan’s chase, the very over in which the last wicket fell. Off the second delivery of Pandya’s over, Shaheen Afridi advanced and pulled a short-pitched ball towards long-on.
Stationed near the boundary rope at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Kuldeep got both hands to the chance but couldn’t hold on, the ball slipping through his fingers and sailing over the cushion for six, prolonging Pakistan’s innings.
Hardik reacted in visible frustration at the missed chance and was caught on camera muttering a few expletives in Hindi in the heat of the moment.
