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In a riveting encounter at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), marking their first win at this venue in a decade. The match was highlighted by Krunal Pandya‘s exceptional bowling performance, which played a pivotal role in RCB’s triumph and left his brother, MI’s captain Hardik Pandya, in a bittersweet position.
RCB’s batting brilliance sets a formidable target
Batting first, RCB posted an imposing total of 221 runs. The innings was bolstered by significant contributions from Virat Kohli, who scored 67 runs, and captain Rajat Patidar, who added 64 runs to the tally. Their partnership laid a solid foundation, enabling RCB to set a challenging target for the home team.
Krunal Pandya’s bowling masterclass
As MI embarked on their chase, Krunal emerged as the linchpin in RCB’s bowling attack. With MI needing 19 runs from the final over, Krunal showcased nerves of steel. He dismissed Mitchell Santner and Deepak Chahar with the first two deliveries and later took the wicket of Naman Dhir, effectively sealing the game for RCB. Krunal concluded his spell with impressive figures of 4 wickets for 45 runs.
Krunal Pandya’s reflections on facing Hardik Pandya
The match was particularly poignant for the Pandya siblings, facing each other on opposing teams. Post-match, Krunal expressed mixed emotions about the situation.
“The bond that we have, at the end of the day, we knew only one (Pandya) would win. But the love and affection we have for each other is very natural. He batted well. We won, and I also wanted to win, he also wanted to win. I feel for him. When I came on to bowl, when Santner was batting, the leg-side was shorter. The amount of games I have played in the last ten years, whatever experience I had, it had to come in, right.” Krunal said in post-match presentation
He acknowledged the emotional complexity of competing against his brother but emphasized their mutual respect and understanding.
Captain Rajat Patidar commends Krunal’s composure
RCB’s skipper, Patidar, lauded Krunal’s performance, highlighting his bravery and execution under pressure saying, “It wasn’t easy and the way that he bowled was amazing. The way he showed courage was fantastic.” Patidar’s words underscored the significance of Krunal’s contribution to the team’s success.
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Krunal’s journey to RCB
Krunal’s association with RCB began during the IPL 2025 mega auction, where he was acquired for ₹5.75 crores. His addition was aimed at strengthening RCB’s all-round capabilities, a strategy that evidently paid dividends in this crucial match.
Prior to the IPL season, Krunal showcased his form in domestic tournaments. Notably, he led DY Patil Red to the final in the DY Patil T20 tournament, delivering both with the bat and ball. His leadership and performance were instrumental in the team’s success, signalling his readiness for the IPL challenges.
This victory propels RCB into a favourable position early in the season, with three wins out of four matches, reflecting a team in good headspace. Conversely, MI face challenges, having suffered their fourth loss in five matches. Hardik and his squad will need to regroup and strategize to reverse their fortunes in the upcoming fixtures.
