RCB's Rajat Patidar Commends Krunal Pandya's Key Role in IPL 2026 Victory

In a recent press conference, RCB captain Rajat Patidar commended all-rounder Krunal Pandya for his vital contributions during the IPL 2026 season. Praising Krunal's flexibility and team-first mindset, Patidar highlighted how the all-rounder's adaptability in batting positions played a crucial role in their successful title defense against Gujarat Titans. With impressive stats, including 226 runs and 14 wickets this season, Krunal's selfless approach has made him an invaluable asset to the team. Discover more about RCB's journey to their second consecutive IPL title and Krunal's significant impact on their success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 02:02 IST

Krunal Pandya's Impact on RCB's Title Win

New Delhi, June 1: Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has expressed his admiration for all-rounder Krunal Pandya, highlighting his adaptability and significant contributions during the franchise's successful IPL 2026 season. Patidar noted that Krunal's team-oriented mindset was crucial in securing their consecutive championship.

RCB triumphed over Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final held in Ahmedabad, successfully defending their title with numerous players stepping up throughout the season.

In the course of 16 matches this season, Krunal amassed 226 runs in nine games, boasting an average of 37.66 and a strike rate of 145.80, including a half-century with a top score of 73. Additionally, he claimed 14 wickets at an average of 30.55, with his best figures being 2/16. In the final match, he delivered an economical performance, conceding just 23 runs in four overs while taking one wicket.

Patidar praised Krunal for his selfless attitude, particularly his ability to adapt to various batting roles as needed by the team.

“Krunal has been incredibly positive for us. While his batting may not have been at its peak in recent years, we all recognize his talent and the level he can achieve,” Patidar remarked during a virtual press conference following the final.

He mentioned that the team management had discussions regarding Krunal's batting position throughout the season, but the seasoned all-rounder was always willing to adjust based on the circumstances.

“Initially, we had some talks about where he should bat—sometimes he was higher up the order, other times lower—but what stood out was his willingness to help the team with his flexibility. He has never been inflexible about his batting position,” Patidar added.

Patidar emphasized that Krunal's readiness to prioritize the team over personal preferences made him an invaluable asset in the batting lineup.

Krunal has established himself as one of the IPL's most accomplished players, securing his fifth IPL title and his second consecutive title with RCB, playing a pivotal role in the team's success in both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Prior to this, he had won three IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians.

“He has never insisted on batting at a specific position. Whenever I, Andy (Flower), Mo (Bobat), or DK (Dinesh Karthik) discussed a particular role or situation with him, he was always ready to prioritize the team,” Patidar noted.

Patidar remarked that Krunal embraced every responsibility assigned to him, which provided the team with greater tactical flexibility throughout the tournament.

“If we felt Krunal needed to bat at a certain point in the game, he was always willing to step up for the team. That attitude has been a tremendous asset for us. Overall, his flexibility regarding the batting order, combined with his contributions, has greatly benefited RCB this season,” he concluded.

In the final, RCB batted first, with GT managing to score only 155 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Washington Sundar (50* off 37 balls, including five fours) and Nishant Sindhu (20 off 18 balls, with three fours) were the only players to surpass the 20-run mark. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) consistently took wickets.

RCB began strongly with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. Although GT fought back, reducing RCB to 132/5 at one point, Virat (75* off 42 balls, with nine fours and three sixes) led RCB to victory with two overs remaining. This marks RCB's second IPL title and their fourth overall in Indian franchise cricket, including two Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles.