In a nail-biting finish at the Wankhede Stadium, Krunal Pandya showcased nerves of steel to deliver a match-winning performance in the final over, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secure a thrilling victory against Mumbai Indians (MI). Tasked with defending 19 runs in the 20th over, Krunal claimed three wickets while conceding just seven runs, sealing RCB’s third win in four games in IPL 2025.
A Masterclass Under Pressure
Krunal’s ability to perform under pressure was on full display as he dismantled MI’s lower order with precision and courage. A 117kph bouncer accounted for Will Jacks, and two more scalps followed in quick succession, leaving MI reeling and RCB celebrating a memorable win.
“When I came into bowl, [Mitchell] Santner was batting, the leg-side was short, and the amount of games I’ve played in the last 10 years, whatever experience I had, it had to come in,” Krunal said post-match. “I just wanted to have clarity in my run-up, what ball I wanted to bow, commit 100% to it, and I’m glad it came out well.”
Patidar Hails Krunal’s Courage
RCB captain Rajat Patidar lauded Krunal’s composure and bravery in high-pressure moments. “The way KP bowled that last over, it was not easy, and the way he bowled was amazing,” Patidar said. “The courage he showed was fantastic. It was pretty clear (at the second time-out) that we had to take the game as deep as we could, and then we could use one over of KP at the last.”
Patidar’s leadership has been instrumental in RCB’s resurgence this season, and his calm demeanor has inspired confidence in his players. Krunal, too, praised Patidar for his supportive captaincy. “Rajat has been fantastic,” Krunal said. “He gives you comfort when he hands you the ball, backs your game plan, and empowers you as a bowler. He has a calm demeanor, which reflects in how he bats and leads.”
The Pandya Brothers’ Battle
The match also featured an intriguing subplot between brothers Hardik and Krunal Pandya. Hardik, leading MI, took the attack to Krunal in the 15th over, smashing two sixes off the first two balls he faced. At that point, MI seemed favorites to chase down 222. However, Hardik fell in the penultimate over, paving the way for Krunal to script a fairytale ending for RCB.
“The bond that we have, at the end of the day, we knew only one [Pandya] would win,” Krunal said. “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.”
RCB’s Winning Formula
This victory adds to RCB’s growing reputation as a team with a distinct Indian flavor, relying on homegrown talent like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and now Krunal Pandya. With key contributions from their Indian core, RCB appears poised for a strong campaign this season.
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