Fans Slam Hardik Pandya After KL Rahul's "Selfless Act" For Shubman Gill In Champions Trophy

Fans spotted a heartwarming incident during India's opening game of Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh on Thursday. India were chasing a below-par target of 229. Shubman Gill was really close to his century towards the end of the chase. This is when KL Rahul, the batter at the other end, didn't care about his own fifty and supported Gill to reach the three-figure mark. The fact that Rahul was himself under the scanner for his lean patch with the bat in the previous matches, his selfless approach despite that pressure won the hearts of netizens. Some even slammed Hardik Pandya for the latter's act two years ago that had denied Tilak Varma a fifty.

It was India's T20I match vs West Indies, Hardik had hit a six to complete his side's run-chase despite the fact that Tilak was at the non-striker end, just one run shy of his half-century. The fans had heavily criticised the then India skipper for his decision and some had even called it a "selfish act".

As Rahul helped Gill race to his eighth ODI ton, fans praised him. However, some also took the example to take a dig at Hardik. Here are some of the reactions -

Thanks to KL Rahul for staying in and not letting Hardik Pandya bat. pic.twitter.com/YqK9qSo1N2

KL Rahul sacrificed his fifty for Virat Kohli in World Cup 2023 and again for Shubham Gill today. Why you're so selfless KL

pic.twitter.com/XrqF4CuXFR

Hardik Pandya bhai kuch seekho KL Rahul bhai se

KL Rahul - the ultimate team player!
He sacrificed his fifty for Virat Kohli in World Cup 2023 and again for Shubman Gill today. #KLRahul | #ShubmanGill | #INDvBAN #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/NVeB8LdyxB

Mohammed Shami and Gill starred as India eased past Bangladesh by 6 wickets in their Champions Trophy campaign opener in