Krunal Pandya shone brightly in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) latest victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025, earning the Player of the Match award for his outstanding all-round performance. Speaking after the game, Krunal highlighted the pivotal role Virat Kohli played in helping him settle at the crease.
Krunal scored a sensational unbeaten 73 off 47 deliveries at a strike rate of 155.32, smashing five fours and four sixes. He revealed that his early innings felt shaky, but Kohli’s continuous support helped him regain his rhythm.
“The first 20 balls were tough for me, but Virat kept backing me, and that made all the difference,” Krunal said.
He also mentioned his clear role in the team—to build a partnership if early wickets fell—especially with power-hitters like Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd ready to finish games.
Focus on Bowling Strategy and Constant Improvement
Krunal also discussed the work he has put into his bowling, explaining that he always aims to stay a step ahead of the batters. Against Delhi, he delivered a tidy spell, picking up one wicket while conceding just 28 runs from his four overs.
He emphasized the importance of variations in pace and understanding the batsmen’s strengths to gain an advantage. “I have been practising different deliveries like bouncers and wide yorkers to keep the batters guessing,” Krunal added. Over time, he believes both his bowling skills and batting have improved, and he takes pride in maintaining his reputation as an economical bowler.
RCB’s Strong Comeback Propelled by Krunal and Kohli
Despite a shaky start in their chase of 163, RCB found their footing thanks to a match-defining 119-run partnership between Kohli and Krunal. The team stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 26 runs, including debutant Jacob Bethell (12 runs), Devdutt Padikkal (0), and captain Rajat Patidar (6).
However, Kohli’s composed 51 off 47 balls and Krunal’s explosive knock steadied the innings. The duo ensured RCB maintained a manageable run rate, reaching 100 runs in just over 13 overs. After Kohli’s dismissal in the 18th over, Tim David smashed 19 runs off five balls to complete the chase in 18.3 overs. This victory marked RCB’s seventh win of the season, taking them to the top of the points table in IPL 2025.
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