Krunal Pandya Confident in Virat Kohli's Comeback After Recent Struggles
Krunal Pandya Supports Virat Kohli Amid Form Struggles
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India] - May 11: Krunal Pandya, an all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), expressed his belief in star batter Virat Kohli's ability to rebound following two consecutive golden ducks. He emphasized that the team remains unfazed by Kohli's recent performance dip.
Despite RCB's thrilling victory over their rivals, Mumbai Indians (MI), it was a tough night for fans as Kohli faced his second golden duck of the season. With 379 runs across 11 innings, averaging 42.11 and boasting a strike rate above 163, Kohli has shown promise with three half-centuries. However, his recent inconsistency has left fans wanting more, as his aggressive style has not translated into substantial scores.
After the match, Krunal commented on Kohli's recent struggles, noting that his two-game slump only heightens his anticipation for Kohli's return to form. 'Virat Kohli is a champion player. When he has a couple of off games, I feel more excited because I know he will bounce back. We are never worried about him. He is a unique talent with immense hunger. I am confident he will soon deliver his trademark performances,' he stated.
Krunal himself had an impressive outing, scoring 73 runs off 46 balls, including four boundaries and five sixes, during a chase of 167 runs on a challenging Raipur pitch. He reflected on comparisons to his similar performance against Delhi Capitals last season, where both he and Kohli contributed significantly to a match-winning partnership.
He described this recent performance as even more significant due to the difficult conditions and the pressure of needing to secure wins late in the tournament after two consecutive losses. 'The scenario was reminiscent of last year's match against DC when we were 25/3. But having a player like Virat by my side makes things easier. His presence and energy are invaluable. This match was particularly special given the pressure we faced,' he added.
In the match, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that paid off as MI struggled to 28/3 during the powerplay, thanks to a stellar performance from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. However, Naman Dhir and Tilak Varma steadied the innings with an 82-run partnership, leading MI to a total of 166/7.
Bhuvneshwar was the standout bowler for RCB, taking 4 wickets for 23 runs, while Josh Hazlewood and Romario Shepherd contributed with key overs. During the chase, RCB faced early setbacks, losing Kohli for a second golden duck and slipping to 39/3, with Deepak Chahar in control.
Nevertheless, Krunal formed crucial partnerships, including a 55-run stand with Jacob Bethell and a 38-run partnership with Jitesh Sharma, reaching a vital fifty. However, RCB faced further challenges as Corbin Bosch and Allah Ghazanfar took key wickets, leaving RCB at 149/7.
In a nail-biting finish, RCB managed to secure a last-ball victory, with Rasikh Salam Dar hitting the winning runs. With this win, RCB stands at the top of the points table with seven wins and four losses, while MI is at the bottom, eliminated from playoff contention.