Raipur: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya turned emotional after delivering a match-winning performance against his former team Mumbai Indians (MI), recalling his “best six years” with the franchise and calling Kieron Pollard a “big brother”.
Krunal played a pivotal role in RCB’s thrilling two-wicket victory over MI in their IPL 2026 clash, scoring a crucial 73 off 46 balls under pressure. His innings anchored the chase of 167 and helped RCB climb to the top of the points table, while MI were knocked out of the playoff race.
Krunal thrives under pressure
Reflecting on his innings, Krunal Pandya said he relishes high-pressure situations and prepares himself mentally for such challenges. Walking in when RCB were struggling at 39 for 3 in 5.1 overs, he stitched together key partnerships to stabilise the innings.
He added 55 runs with Jacob Bethell and followed it up with a 37-run stand alongside Jitesh Sharma, bringing RCB back into contention in a tense chase.
“I obviously love tough situations and I always prepare and look forward to those. I wanted to finish the game but couldn’t, though the shot that Bhuvneshwar played was the shot of the match,” Krunal said after the match.
He also highlighted the nature of the Raipur pitch, noting that it required patience and proper cricketing shots rather than aggressive hitting.
Battling cramps during crucial knock
Krunal revealed that his innings was made even more challenging due to severe cramps, which affected multiple parts of his body as he batted for an extended period.
“I was cramping a lot. It started from calf, went to glutes and went to my back. I don’t usually bat so long,” he said.
Despite the physical discomfort, Krunal continued to anchor the innings, striking five sixes and four boundaries in a composed yet impactful knock.
His dismissal in the 18th over left RCB with work to do, but a late flourish from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, including a crucial six, ensured the team crossed the finish line on the final ball.
Emotional tribute to Mumbai Indians
After the match, Krunal also reflected on his time with Mumbai Indians, where he played from 2016 to 2021. He described that phase as the most significant period of his IPL career.
“Kieron Pollard is my big brother. I had my best six years at MI. Kieron Pollard and Pandya brothers were the engine room,” he said.
Krunal praised Pollard as one of the greatest players in T20 cricket and credited him for playing a major role in MI’s success over the years.
“It was obviously emotional. I love Kieron Pollard — a terrific human being. GOAT of this format, has won so many trophies and games,” he added.
The all-rounder also highlighted the strong bond shared between Pollard and the Pandya brothers, including his brother Hardik Pandya, which formed the core of Mumbai Indians’ dominance during that era.
Match summary and impact
RCB’s victory came in a last-ball thriller, with the team chasing down 167 in dramatic fashion. Earlier, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s brilliant spell of 4 for 23 helped restrict MI to 166 for 7.
Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir had steadied MI’s innings with a crucial partnership, but the total proved just short in the end.
For MI, Corbin Bosch impressed with four wickets, but his efforts were not enough to secure a win. The defeat effectively ended Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes, as they remained ninth on the points table with just three wins.
On the other hand, RCB’s victory propelled them to the top of the standings with seven wins from 11 matches, strengthening their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
Conclusion
Krunal Pandya’s match-winning knock was not just a display of skill but also resilience, as he battled physical discomfort and high pressure to guide RCB to victory. His emotional reflections on Mumbai Indians added a personal dimension to an already dramatic contest.
As IPL 2026 heads towards its business end, performances like Krunal’s underline the importance of experience and composure in crunch moments, while also reminding fans of the deep connections players share with their former teams.