Krunal Pandya Reflects on His Stellar IPL Journey with RCB

Krunal Pandya's IPL Triumph

Krunal Pandya, who has played for multiple franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), celebrated his fourth title last year, marking his first victory with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). During an episode of JioStar's 'The Krunal Pandya Experience', he discussed his debut season with RCB, his match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, and the emotions tied to clinching the title.

Outstanding Performance Against DC

Reflecting on his unbeaten 73-run innings against Delhi Capitals (DC) last year, Pandya noted, "The pitch was somewhat challenging that day. Unlike most IPL pitches, which are typically flat, the one in Delhi had some grip. I managed to concede only 28 runs in my bowling spell, utilized slower deliveries effectively, and dismissed Faf du Plessis. Having bowled on that surface gave me insight into how it played when I came to bat. I hadn't batted much prior to that innings since our top order was performing well, and I came in at a precarious 20 for 3."

"It was around our seventh or eighth match, and I had barely batted in the tournament. We were under significant pressure. Virat advised me to maintain my composure, assuring me we would succeed. Initially, I struggled to score in my first 17-18 balls, but I was aware of the power hitters like Tim David, Romario, and Jitesh behind me. I knew if we extended the game, we had a chance. Once I settled in, I began to play my shots, and everything clicked into place," he added.

Memorable Debut with RCB

Krunal's debut for RCB was unforgettable, taking place against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the opening night of IPL 2025. After a challenging start where he conceded 15 runs in his first over, he rebounded impressively, finishing with figures of 3 for 29 and earning the Player of the Match award. RCB acquired him for Rs 5.75 crore before the IPL 2025 season.

Recalling his debut against KKR, Pandya expressed, "I was thrilled to play my first match. The opening ceremony had just concluded, and I remember Shah Rukh Khan was on stage while the crowd cheered. I thought, 'If we win this match, it will be amazing.' My first over in the Powerplay went for 15 runs, and I was thinking, 'What is happening?' KKR was scoring rapidly at 110 in 10 overs, so I knew I had to bounce back. In my next over, I dismissed Ajinkya Rahane at deep square leg. Then, I bowled a bouncer to Venkatesh Iyer, who quickly put his helmet back on. After that, I bowled a fast delivery, and he was bowled out. That’s a classic move for fast bowlers."

Key All-Round Contributions

As a vital spin-bowling all-rounder, Krunal played a significant role in RCB's success, taking 17 wickets and scoring 109 runs, contributing to the team's first IPL title last year.