IPL 2026 [WATCH]: Hardik Pandya playfully teases Shubman Gill over his fresh beard look at the toss in GT vs MI game

The rivalry between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) reached a fever pitch on Monday, as the two giants collided in the 30th match of IPL 2026. Held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the evening was a blend of high-stakes cricket and light-hearted camaraderie. While the match eventually turned into a one-sided affair, it began with a viral moment that captured the playful tension between the two captains, Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill.

Hardik Pandya mocks Shubman Gill’s fresh beard style during the toss

Cricket fans were treated to some Captain-on-Captain banter even before the first ball was bowled. As both leaders stepped onto the turf for the toss, all eyes were on Gill, who debuted a distinct new bearded look. The GT skipper had recently been sidelined due to a neck spasm, missing a crucial fixture for his side. His return to the squad was marked not just by physical fitness, but by a rugged aesthetic that didn’t go unnoticed by his former teammate, Pandya.

In a moment that quickly trended across social media, Pandya was seen teasing Gill about his grooming choices. The Mumbai Indians skipper was caught on camera twirling his own beard and smiling sarcastically while gesturing toward Gill’s face. The interaction appeared to be a mix of ‘praising’ the new look while simultaneously pulling Gill’s leg about the transformation. Gill, known for his calm demeanour, took the ribbing in stride, though the pre-match humour did little to soften the blow of what was to follow on the field.

Here’s the video:

Hardik Pandya making fun of Shubman’s beard 🤣😅

Bro saw the new look and couldn’t hold back 😂#GTvMI #ShubmanGill #HardikPandya #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/Ikdh4FTXfL

— The Buzz Filter (@TheBuzzFilter) April 20, 2026

Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah ends his wicket-less run in IPL 2026 with a golden-duck dismissal of Sai Sudharsan in GT vs MI game

MI cruised to a commanding 99-run win over Gujarat Titans

Once the fun and games at the toss concluded, Mumbai Indians shifted into a ruthless competitive gear. Batting first, MI posted a formidable 199/5 in their 20 overs. The undisputed star of the show was Tilak Varma, who played a breathtaking innings to remain unbeaten on 101 off just 45 balls. His century, decorated with 8 fours and 7 towering sixes, left the GT bowlers searching for answers. Despite Kagiso Rabada’s disciplined spell of 3/33, the MI middle order, supported by Naman Dhir’s 45, ensured a target that proved insurmountable.

The chase for Gujarat Titans was a nightmare from the very first delivery. Jasprit Bumrah struck gold immediately, dismissing Sai Sudharsan for a golden duck. The GT batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards under the relentless pressure of MI’s bowling attack. Ashwani Kumar emerged as the wrecker-in-chief, dismantling the lower order to finish with stellar figures of 4/24.

GT was eventually bundled out for exactly 100 runs in just 15.5 overs. Aside from minor contributions from Washington Sundar (26) and Gill (14), no batter could withstand the heat. With this 99-run victory, Mumbai Indians not only secured two points but also delivered a massive boost to their Net Run Rate, leaving Gill’s Titans to reflect on a night where neither their new looks nor their old strategies could save them.

Also WATCH: Naman Dhir pulls off a stunner to dismiss Washington Sundar in GT vs MI IPL 2026 clash