Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya had a bittersweet evening at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday night. While his match-winning final over sealed a dramatic 12-run victory for RCB, the emotional side of the game wasn’t lost on him, especially since it came at the expense of his younger brother, Hardik Pandya, who is leading Mumbai Indians this season.
As MI looked poised to chase down RCB’s mammoth 222-run target, it was Krunal who turned the game on its head with a stunning three-wicket final over. At one point, with Hardik smashing a 15-ball 42 and Tilak Varma anchoring the innings with a classy 56, it appeared MI were favourites to pull off the win. But Krunal’s nerves of steel helped RCB snatch a win in the dying moments.
Reflecting on the unique family moment, Krunal Pandya said, “The bond Hardik and I share is deeply emotional and very natural. We both wanted to win, but only one of us could. He batted brilliantly, and I really feel for him. But I’m happy we got the result for our team.”
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Krunal was also all praise for RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, whose leadership has earned respect early in the season. “Rajat’s calm nature and the faith he shows in his bowlers make a big difference. He gives you the ball and trusts your plan, and as a bowler, that’s all you need,” Krunal said.
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He also credited teammate Jitesh Sharma for his consistent performances, highlighting his growing maturity and game awareness. “Jitesh has been terrific. The way he’s adapted and stayed calm in different match situations shows his improvement,” Krunal added.
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With three wins from four games, RCB have climbed to third on the points table, while MI languish near the bottom with just two points from five outings. RCB now head back to Bengaluru for their next clash against Delhi Capitals on April 10.
“I’m not going to say too much about trophies just yet,” Krunal Pandya smiled. “We know what we’re playing for. For now, it’s about staying focused and continuing to win matches.”
