Virat Kohli Praises Krunal Pandya's Stellar Performance in IPL 2026
Krunal Pandya's Match-Winning Knock
In a thrilling IPL 2026 match on Sunday, Virat Kohli, a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), commended teammate Krunal Pandya for his impressive 73-run performance against the Mumbai Indians (MI). Kohli described this innings as Krunal's "best IPL knock". Krunal's 73 runs off 46 balls were pivotal in RCB's narrow victory over MI by two wickets, clinching the win on the last ball.
Facing a challenging situation at 39/3 while chasing a target of 167, Krunal formed a vital 55-run partnership with Jacob Bethell (27) and a 37-run partnership with Jitesh Sharma (18), bringing RCB closer to their goal before his dismissal in the 18th over, where he hit two sixes off Allah Ghazanfar.
Kohli's Praise for Krunal's Determination
In a video shared by RCB on X, Kohli lauded Krunal for his resilience, emphasizing that he delivered under pressure despite facing physical challenges. Kohli remarked on the significance of the two sixes hit by Krunal at a crucial moment, stating, "I believe this is your best IPL innings to date. You have faced pressure before, but tonight was exceptional. You battled through difficult conditions and physical discomfort without making excuses. Your determination to find a way to contribute was inspiring."
Team's Collective Effort in Batting
During the match, RCB faced early setbacks, losing Kohli (0) for the second consecutive golden duck and slipping to 39/3, largely due to MI's Deepak Chahar's impressive bowling (2/33). Kohli acknowledged the team's rocky start but praised the middle-order's contributions that turned the game around. He highlighted the importance of partnerships, particularly between Jacob Bethell and Krunal, in achieving the target. Kohli stated, "We didn't start well, but like in previous matches, our middle order stepped up, which was crucial for our chase."
Match Summary
In the match, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first. This decision paid off initially as MI struggled to 28/3 during the powerplay, thanks to Bhuvneshwar's exceptional bowling. However, Naman Dhir (47 off 32) and Tilak Varma (57 off 42) stabilized MI's innings with an 82-run partnership, leading them to a total of 166/7 in 20 overs. Bhuvneshwar was the standout bowler for RCB, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs.
In their chase, despite early difficulties, Krunal's partnerships helped RCB recover. However, crucial wickets from Corbin Bosch (4/26) and Allah Ghazanfar (1/33) put RCB under pressure, reducing them to 149/7. With 12 runs needed in the final over, RCB managed to secure a last-ball victory, with Rasikh Salam Dar hitting the winning runs.
Current Points Table Status
Following this match, RCB stands at the top of the points table with seven wins and four losses, accumulating 14 points. In contrast, MI is positioned ninth with three wins and eight losses, effectively eliminated from playoff contention along with the Lucknow Super Giants.