Krunal Pandya Reflects on Emotional Victory Against Former Team

Krunal Pandya's Memorable Performance

Krunal Pandya expressed deep emotions following his pivotal role in leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians (MI). He reminisced about his time with the franchise and shared insights about his relationship with his brother Hardik Pandya and club icon Kieron Pollard. In a nail-biting finish on Sunday (May 10) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium in Raipur, RCB triumphed over the defending champions by two wickets. Krunal emerged as the standout performer, scoring 73 runs off 46 balls, helping his team chase down a target of 167 after coming in at number five when RCB was struggling at 37-3. His innings featured four boundaries and five sixes, showcasing his batting prowess.

Krunal's Emotional Connection with Pollard

After the match, Krunal shared a heartfelt moment with Pollard, who he regards as an elder brother. In a conversation with Ian Bishop, he reflected on their successful days together, stating, "Polly (Kieron Pollard) is my big brother. I had my best six years at MI. I remember when the Pandya brothers and Kieron Pollard were the backbone of the team. We won numerous matches through our combined efforts in batting, bowling, and fielding. I still recall our last game in 2021, where we held hands, realizing it might be our final moment together. It was an emotional experience, but I have immense love for Kieron Pollard. He is a remarkable person and a legend of this format, having won countless trophies and games. As he often said, 'You can't keep a good man down,'" Krunal shared during his post-match interview.

Hardik, Krunal, and Pollard: MI's Core Strength

Hardik Pandya, MI's captain, was absent from the match due to a back injury. The Pandya brothers had departed from the franchise prior to the 2022 mega auction, but Hardik made a comeback ahead of the 2024 season through a trade and resumed his captaincy. Krunal played a crucial role in MI's championship victories in 2017, 2019, and 2020, while Hardik contributed to the titles in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Pollard, who was part of all five title wins, now serves as MI's batting coach after retiring from IPL in 2022. He remains an active player in various leagues, including MI franchises in Major League Cricket (MLC) and ILT20. Both Hardik and Krunal began their careers with MI in 2015 and 2016, respectively.