Fact check: Did Hardik Pandya post a special Instagram story for brother Krunal after RCB's IPL 2026 title win?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru enjoyed another historic night as captain Rajat Patidar lifted the IPL 2026 trophy, guiding the franchise to a second consecutive title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With this win, RCB joined the elite group of CSK and MI as teams that have successfully defended the IPL title, etching their name in history.

After the match, several moments went viral on social media, including Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s dance celebration, Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer kissing the trophy, and Krunal Pandya celebrating with his child. However, one name that unexpectedly took over social media trends was Hardik Pandya.

A series of tweets went viral showing screenshots of Hardik Pandya’s Instagram activity, along with claims involving an “evil eye” and a heart emoji, suggesting he may have congratulated his brother Krunal Pandya in a subtle way. But did Hardik really post or confirm anything?

In this story, we will break down the viral claims and clarify what actually happened around Hardik Pandya’s alleged social media reaction.

Viral claim on Twitter says Hardik congratulated Krunal — But here's the truth

A viral claim on Twitter recently suggested that Hardik Pandya had congratulated his brother Krunal Pandya after the IPL 2026 final. Several posts shared screenshots allegedly showing an Instagram story that read, “In tears right now, proud of you bhai,” along with an evil eye and heart emoji.

However, the claim is false. A quick check of the Indian allrounder’s official Instagram account shows that no such story or post exists. The viral screenshots appear to be edited or misattributed, and there is no evidence that Hardik made any public congratulatory post for Krunal.

Meanwhile, rumours of tension between the two brothers have also been circulating online. Addressing the speculation, Krunal Pandya once dismissed the talks, saying, “Kane and Undertaker also fight sometimes,” before adding, “All ok,” making it clear that everything is normal between them.

Hardik Pandya's Instagram stayed silent as Krunal lifted the IPL 2026 Trophy with RCB

Hardik Pandya’s Instagram remained silent after Krunal Pandya’s big moment, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the IPL 2026 trophy. Despite Krunal being part of the title-winning team, Hardik did not share any public post or story congratulating his brother, which quickly caught the attention of fans online.

This silence has left many cricket followers questioning whether everything is fine between the two brothers. While speculation continues on social media, there is no official indication of any issue between them. It is also important to note that Krunal and Hardik Pandya started their IPL journey together with the Mumbai Indians, sharing several memorable moments in their early careers.

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Over time, however, their paths have moved in different directions. Krunal Pandya has become a dependable figure for RCB, contributing consistently to the team’s success. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya’s IPL journey has seen frequent team changes, leadership responsibilities, and mixed performances. While he remains a key player for India, his recent IPL form has faced ups and downs, leading to comparisons between the two brothers.

From "You Beauty" in IPL 2025 to zero words in 2026 — Is the Pandya brother rift real?

From “You Beauty” in IPL 2025 to silence in 2026, fans are now questioning whether there is any rift between the Pandya brothers.

In the IPL 2025 final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings in a thrilling encounter, and celebrations took over social media. The night was filled with emotional moments, with Virat Kohli also seen in tears after the victory. One of the biggest highlights was the emotional bond between Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya, which caught the attention of fans.

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At that time, Hardik had posted a heartfelt message saying, “In tears right now. Proud of you bhai,” which was widely appreciated. However, in IPL 2026, his silence after Krunal’s latest achievement has sparked speculation online. Still, there is no official confirmation of any rift, and the rumours remain unverified.