RCB's Rajat Patidar Commends Krunal Pandya's Key Role in IPL 2026 Victory
Krunal Pandya's Impact on RCB's Success
Rajat Patidar, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), expressed his admiration for all-rounder Krunal Pandya, highlighting his adaptability and significant contributions during the team's successful IPL 2026 campaign. Patidar noted that Krunal's team-oriented mindset was crucial in securing back-to-back titles for RCB.
In the IPL 2026 final held in Ahmedabad, RCB triumphed over Gujarat Titans by five wickets, showcasing the efforts of various players throughout the season. Krunal Pandya played a pivotal role, amassing 226 runs in 16 matches, averaging 37.66 with a strike rate of 145.80, including a top score of 73. Additionally, he claimed 14 wickets at an average of 30.55, with his best bowling figures being 2/16. In the final match, he delivered an impressive performance, conceding only 23 runs in four overs.
'Team First' Mentality
Patidar praised Krunal for his selfless attitude, particularly his willingness to adapt to various batting positions as needed by the team. He remarked, "Krunal has been incredibly positive for us. Although his recent batting performances may not have been his best, we recognize his exceptional skills and potential to perform at a high level," during a virtual press conference following the final.
He mentioned that the team management had ongoing discussions about Krunal's batting order throughout the season, but the seasoned all-rounder consistently showed readiness to adjust based on the circumstances.
"Initially, there were conversations about his batting position—sometimes he batted higher up, other times lower down—but what truly stood out was his flexibility. He has never been inflexible about his batting order," Patidar added.
The RCB captain emphasized that Krunal's commitment to prioritizing the team's needs over personal preferences made him an invaluable asset in the batting lineup.
"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 willing to prioritize the team," Patidar remarked.
Patidar concluded by stating that Krunal's readiness to embrace every responsibility assigned to him provided the team with greater tactical flexibility throughout the tournament. "If we felt KP needed to step in at a certain point in the game, he was always willing to do that for the team. This attitude has been a tremendous asset for us. Overall, his adaptability in the batting order, along with his contributions, has significantly benefited RCB this season."
Krunal's Fifth IPL Title
Krunal Pandya has now become one of the most successful players in IPL history, securing his fifth title, which includes his second consecutive championship with RCB. He played a vital role in the team's achievements during the 2025 and 2026 seasons, having previously won three titles with the Mumbai Indians.
IPL 2026 Final: Match Overview
In the final match, RCB opted to bowl first, restricting Gujarat Titans to a total of 155 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Washington Sundar was the standout performer for GT, scoring an unbeaten 50 runs off 37 balls, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 runs. RCB's bowlers, including Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/37), consistently took wickets.
RCB began their innings strongly with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 runs off 16 balls) and Virat Kohli. Although GT fought back, reducing RCB to 132/5 at one point, Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 runs off 42 balls led RCB to victory with two overs remaining.
This victory marks RCB's second IPL title and their fourth overall in Indian franchise cricket, which includes two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.