Along with multiple clips from the India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I match in Raipur, a viral video showing India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and former India cricketer Murali Kartik engaged in an animated discussion quickly became a hot topic among cricket fans on the internet.
A viral video shows that Hardik Pandya and Kartik were discussing something in an intense manner. The incident might have happened before the beginning of the second match of the 5-match T20I contest between India and New Zealand. According to the video, Pandya was greeted by Kartik as soon as he stepped onto the ground.
Tension rises between Hardik Pandya and Murali Kartik
Then the animated conversation between them was initiated. It seems that Pandya might have some disagreement over some issue, while Kartik was trying to explain something to the all-rounder. With the video going viral, netizens can only make speculations, as what exactly happened between them remains under cover.
Heated exchange between Hardik Pandya and Murali Kartik? Thoughts? 👀 pic.twitter.com/PsKs2ia7TF
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 23, 2026
After winning the first match in Jaipur with dominance, India won the second match as well in style, that too chasing a massive total of 208, scored by New Zealand batting first. Behind the cruising victory, Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav were the star performers of the night. Both of them combined in the middle to chase down the target in only 15.2 overs.
Hardik Pandya’s performance in the match
Hardik Pandya also had a decent outing in Raipur. The all-rounder did not get the opportunity to showcase his batting, but did his bowling duties effectively.
Pandya took the wicket of New Zealand middle-order batter Mark Chapman and offered only 25 runs in his 3-over spell, which is good, as the Blackcaps posted 208/6 in the first innings.
Ishan Kishan was the star of the match
Ishan Kishan was named the player of the match for his blistering batting, which took India to the finishing line with comfort. The keeper-batter came to bat at No.3 and scored 76 runs off 32 balls with 11 boundaries and 4 maximums.
Yadav, who had a sub-par performance in 2025 for Team India, got back his form by scoring 82 not out in 37 deliveries. Yadav and Kishan added 122 runs in 48 balls for the third wicket, which proved to be the decisive factor of the game.
After the match, the India captain praised Ishan Kishan for his impressive batting. He said that he had rarely seen someone bat at 6 for 2 in that manner and still end the powerplay around 67 or 70. For the skipper, what Kishan had done in the match was absolutely incredible.
“I don’t know what Ishan had for lunch in the afternoon or what pre-workout he had before the game, but I’ve never seen anyone bat at 6 for 2 in that manner and still end the powerplay around 67 or 70,” Yadav said.
Read More: Suryakumar Yadav unleashes anger-filled jab at Ishan Kishan despite Raipur T20I heroics
