Krunal Pandya Discusses Innovations in Cricket Following RCB's Victory
Krunal Pandya on the Evolution of Cricket
Krunal Pandya, the all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), emphasized the swift changes in batting styles in contemporary cricket. He noted that spinners must continually adapt to remain competitive, especially after RCB's recent five-wicket triumph over Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2026.
During this IPL season, Krunal has been effective against opposing batsmen, utilizing sharp bouncers and experimenting with round-arm deliveries, thereby enhancing his bowling repertoire.
In an interview on JioHotstar following RCB's victory, Krunal discussed the heightened expectations placed on bowlers in T20 cricket. He remarked, "Every year, batting evolves so quickly that you often wonder, 'Where should I bowl?' because batters seem capable of hitting the ball anywhere."
He further explained that his strategy is motivated by the desire to outsmart batters. "This innovation stems from wanting to stay one step ahead. It's not that I haven't done this before; why should fast bowlers have all the fun? Spinners deserve it too," he stated.
Krunal also acknowledged that the latest bowling trends are being closely analyzed and imitated. "What’s happening is positive, and many are trying to replicate it. Setting a trend is beneficial," he commented.
Acknowledging the Spin-Bowling Coach
Reflecting on his preparations for the current season, Krunal mentioned his focus on incorporating new techniques into his bowling after a successful previous year. "As I approached this season, I contemplated what additional skills I could bring to my bowling," he shared.
He credited RCB's spin-bowling coach, Malolan, for his support in this development. "Much of the credit goes to our spin-bowling coach, who has allowed me the freedom to explore. His backing has significantly boosted my confidence," Krunal added.
Aiming for a Comeback to the National Team
When discussing his aspirations for a return to the Indian national team, Krunal Pandya expressed that representing India remains his ultimate ambition, even as he concentrates on delivering consistent performances for RCB. However, he acknowledged that selection is beyond his control and emphasized his commitment to contributing on the field.
"There’s nothing greater than donning the blue jersey again. My goal has always been to play for India. But what I can control is my consistent performance and how I help my team win. I thrive under pressure and have learned a lot from my cricketing journey, as the same mindset applies to both life and sports. My focus is on personal improvement, which enables me to perform well in cricket," Krunal stated.
RCB's Exciting Win Against GT
In their chase of 206 runs, RCB faced an early setback when GT's pacer Mohammed Siraj dismissed opener Jacob Bethell, leaving RCB at 26/1 in just three overs. However, the remaining top-order batsmen stepped up. Virat Kohli scored a brilliant 81 off 44 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal supported him with a quick 55 off 27 deliveries.
The pair formed a formidable partnership, accumulating 115 runs in just 59 balls. After the quick dismissals of Kohli and Padikkal, the match became tense as Rashid Khan and Manav Suthar took crucial wickets, leaving RCB at 175/5 after 16 overs.
Despite losing Rajat Patidar (8) and Jitesh Sharma (10), RCB needed 31 runs from the last four overs. Krunal Pandya emerged as the match-winner, scoring an unbeaten 23 runs off 12 balls.
Krunal aggressively attacked the GT bowlers, scoring 15 runs in the 18th over, which eased the pressure. He sealed the victory by pulling a short ball from Jason Holder to deep square leg, leading RCB to a total of 206/5 in 18.5 overs. This win secured two crucial points, elevating RCB to second place in the IPL 2026 standings with 10 points from seven matches, including five victories and two losses.