In a moment that set social media abuzz, a seemingly awkward exchange between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant during the post-match handshake after the Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants clash raised more than a few eyebrows. The two Indian stars, who also happen to be captains of their respective IPL teams, shared a peculiar interaction that had fans speculating about potential tension between them.
Following Lucknow’s emphatic 33-run win over the table-toppers at Ahmedabad on May 22, the customary handshake line featured an incident that viewers couldn’t ignore. As shown in a video shared by the IPL on social media, Pant, fresh off his team’s strong performance, appeared upbeat and tried to engage Gill in conversation.
However, the Titans skipper, seemingly still digesting a tough loss, brushed past Pant mid-sentence. Rishabh Pant, undeterred, turned around mid-line to finish what he was saying, while Gill continued forward, flashing what many saw as a smirk.
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The brief interaction has since sparked a flurry of online reactions — some fans suggested Gill deliberately avoided Pant, while others dismissed it as harmless banter between friends. Given their camaraderie in the Indian setup, it’s hard to say if the moment carried any serious weight or was simply a misread by the internet.
Dominant with the bat 👊
Clinical with the ball 👌@LucknowIPL prevail in a run-fest and complete their double against table-toppers #GT 🔥Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/NwAHcYJlcP #TATAIPL | #GTvLSG pic.twitter.com/VLbBcbzbGx
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2025
Still, the moment comes at a crucial juncture in the IPL 2025 season. The Titans, despite entering the contest as favourites, were handed a tough loss by a Lucknow side already knocked out of playoff contention. Mitchell Marsh’s blazing 117 led LSG to a formidable 235/2, a target Gujarat failed to chase despite a strong start.
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The result has complicated things for Gill’s team. While still in the top half of the table, another loss, especially in their upcoming clash with Chennai Super Kings on May 25, could see them slip further down the standings. Meanwhile, Pant and the Super Giants will conclude their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 27, hoping to end their season on a high.
Whether it was just a misunderstood moment or a hint of a budding rivalry, one thing’s for sure — Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s brief exchange has cricket fans talking.
