Krunal Pandya has joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Upon his arrival, the all-rounder received the franchise’s jersey. Notably, this will be Krunal’s third IPL franchise after representing the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The Bengaluru-based team acquired him for ₹5.75 crore at the auction in November last year. Posting a picture on X, RCB wrote:
“He’s HIM, RCB fam and HE’S HERE! Happy #Homecoming, Krunal! The 12th Man Army is all in for your 3️⃣D game at ನಮ್ಮ Chinnaswamy this year!”
https://x.com/rcbtweets/status/1899346301420257330?s=46
The 33-year-old has featured in 127 IPL matches, scoring 1,647 runs in 111 innings at a strike rate of 132.82, including one half-century. As a spinner, he has claimed 76 wickets with an economy rate of 7.36. During his tenure with Lucknow Super Giants, he captained the team to three wins in six matches.
In the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy, Krunal impressed with both bat and ball, taking 11 wickets in seven games while also scoring 256 runs, which included two half-centuries. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Baroda all-rounder took eight wickets in nine matches while also scoring 136 runs at a strike rate of 120.35.
Apart from domestic cricket and the IPL, Krunal Pandya represented India in 19 T20Is and five ODIs between 2018 and 2021. His all-round abilities make him a crucial asset for RCB in the middle overs.
RCB to face KKR in IPL 2025 season opener
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 season opener at Eden Gardens on March 25. Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB will be determined to break their title drought in the tournament’s 18th edition. Last season, they made it to the playoffs but were eliminated in the Eliminator.
RCB Squad for IPL 2025:
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thusara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swastik Chikara, Devdutt Padikkal, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, and Mohit Rathee.
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