The Decision Review System (DRS) was introduced to bring clarity and fairness to the game, but it has also led to a subtle game of deception between batters and fielders. In a recent IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Krunal Pandya became the talking point, not for his batting, but for how he handled a dismissal that was clearly caught on UltraEdge.
After a rain delay at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB’s innings got off to a nightmare start. Phil Salt and Virat Kohli were dismissed within the first three overs, leaving the home crowd stunned. With the scoreboard reading 32/4, and Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma also back in the pavilion, RCB made a surprising move by promoting Krunal Pandya up the order instead of using their Impact Player option.
Facing Marco Jansen in the seventh over, Krunal attempted a pull shot off a short delivery. The ball seemed to clip his helmet before landing in Jansen’s hands.
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While Jansen was certain there had been an edge, claiming he heard two noises, Krunal insisted he hadn’t touched it. Even after Punjab went upstairs for the review, Krunal confidently told his captain he hadn’t nicked it. However, the replay told a different story. UltraEdge revealed a clear spike as the ball passed the bat, and Krunal had no choice but to walk back.
— Deba (@Deba192240) April 18, 2025
Social media, especially Twitter, lit up with reactions—some amused, others critical of Krunal’s nonchalance in the moment. Once again, DRS proved decisive—not just in the decision, but in exposing a player’s bluff.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal
Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Marco Jason get rid of Krunal Pandya on 2nd ball.
Krunal Pandya got out on 1 run#PBKSvsRCB #PBKSvRCB #RCBvPBKS #RCBvsPBKS #PBKSvsRCB #LoveForMonster
#RetroTrailer#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/UuWmDzSuHz— mahi🥰 (@Shivms9) April 18, 2025
Krunal Pandya performs like Krunal Pandya and have attitude like Hardik Pandya #RCBvsPBKS
— Shubham Madhavi (@ShubhamMad75582) April 18, 2025
Why didn’t the physio come to check Krunal Pandya?
— VigneshT (@VigneshThiagar8) April 18, 2025
