Krunal Pandya was the life of the party as Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated their historic maiden IPL title. The all-rounder, who has now clinched his fourth individual IPL trophy, let loose alongside wife Pankhuri Sharma and teammates, dancing to the high-energy Marathi track Zingaat at the franchise’s post-match bash. If his on-field performance was composed and clinical, his off-field celebration was anything but—an explosion of joy befitting a champion.
Pandya had bowled a magical spell in the final, returning figures of 4-0-17-2 on a night where every run and wicket counted. However, it was Romario Shepherd’s crucial dismissal of Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer that truly swung momentum RCB’s way.
Josh Inglis, Punjab’s power-hitter, was beginning to threaten with his 39 off 23 balls, peppering the midwicket fence with regularity. But Pandya broke through with a well-executed dismissal, having Inglis caught at long-on in the 13th over. The celebration that followed showcased Pandya’s passion—a roar of emotion that echoed RCB’s long-awaited breakthrough.
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The party didn’t end at the stadium. As the team returned to the hotel, Krunal brought out his Gujarati roots, performing a spontaneous Garba before setting the dance floor ablaze later that night.
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Earlier in the match, a stunning piece of fielding from Phil Salt turned the tide. Priyansh Arya attempted a big shot off Josh Hazlewood in the fifth over, but Salt sprinted from deep square leg and executed a remarkable reverse-cupped catch at the boundary—one of the season’s finest efforts on the rope.
Punjab’s fight faded thereafter. Impact substitute Prabhsimran Singh fell for 26, and a double blow from Bhuvneshwar Kumar—removing Nehal Wadhera and Marcus Stoinis in the 17th over—sealed Punjab’s fate.
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While RCB’s 190/9 looked slightly underwhelming on a good batting track, their bowlers, led by Pandya’s brilliance, ensured the total was more than enough. Though the batters struggled to convert starts into big scores, the collective spirit and clinical execution finally brought Bengaluru their long-awaited glory.
