Mumbai Indians’ slow left-arm orthodox bowler Krunal Pandya, who dismissed in-form AB de Villiers in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), on Friday said he has backed himself while coming to bowl to the South African batsman.

Pandya dismissed de Villiers, who scored 19 runs in 21 balls when the wicket was most needed. He sent packing the 33-year-old third time in three innings.

“I just backed myself and that is paying off for me. I have nothing to lose, bowling to a legend like ABD. Have everything to gain. Lucky to have dismissed him thrice,” Pandya said after the match.

Commenting on the target, Pandya, who returned with the figures of 1/21, said: “The pitch is on the slower side. If we play 20 overs, we should chase this down.”

Mumbai bowlers gave a tough time to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) middle-order as they were restricted to 142/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Though Mumbai Indians played without their experienced pacer Lasith Malinga, their other bowlers bowled to their potential as Bangalore wasted a solid start given by skipper Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers. The RCB thus got wrapped up under the 150-run mark.

(IANS)

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