Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya has backed Virat Kohli to bounce back strongly after the batting superstar endured another disappointing outing in IPL 2026. Despite RCB securing a thrilling last-ball victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Raipur, Kohli’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for his second successive golden duck, leaving fans and experts surprised.
While the recent dismissals have sparked conversations around Kohli’s form, the numbers still highlight an impressive campaign overall. The former RCB captain has scored 379 runs in 11 innings this season at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate above 163. He has also registered three half-centuries and remains one of Bengaluru’s most influential batters in IPL 2026.
However, Kohli’s ultra-aggressive approach this year has occasionally backfired. The veteran batter has looked determined to dominate from the start, but a few promising innings have ended early before he could convert them into match-defining scores.
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Krunal Pandya, though, made it clear that there is absolutely no panic inside the RCB dressing room regarding Kohli’s form. Speaking after Bengaluru’s dramatic win over the Mumbai Indians, the experienced all-rounder said failures only increase the hunger of a champion player like Kohli.
“Virat Kohli is a champion player. When he fails for two games, I get more excited because I know he will come back. We are never tense about him. He is a different beast, he has a lot of hunger. From here on, I am sure Virat Kohli will do Virat Kohli things,” Krunal Pandya said.
Krunal himself emerged as RCB’s match-winner in the tense chase at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Batting on a difficult surface that offered uneven bounce and variable pace, the left-hander produced a sensational 73 off 46 deliveries, smashing four boundaries and five sixes to guide Bengaluru to a crucial win.
The innings once again showcased Krunal’s ability to absorb pressure in challenging situations. Reflecting on his knock, he compared the situation to RCB’s clash against Delhi Capitals last season, where he and Kohli had rescued the team after an early collapse.
“The situation was the same as last year’s game against DC, we were 25/3. But I had a GOAT standing on the other side. When Virat is there, things are easier. His energy and aura always help you,” Krunal Pandya said.
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He admitted, however, that the latest innings felt even more special because RCB kept losing wickets regularly during the chase, making the pressure significantly higher.
“But this one is more special as we lost wickets consistently, faced a lot of pressure, and it was crucial to win this 11th match we were playing,” he added. For RCB, Krunal’s match-winning effort and the unwavering support for Kohli underline the strong belief and unity within the squad as the IPL 2026 playoff race intensifies.
