Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are gearing up for the upcoming IPL 2026 with fire, and Krunal Pandya has added a whole new level of excitement with his cameo on social media. The star all-rounder is set to bring energy, experience, and “clutch” performances to RCB, as the defending champions aim to defend their title.
As the teams have begun preparations for the upcoming IPL 2026, starting on March 28, Krunal Pandya is back with a bang, and his latest words are making headlines. Notably, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season opener at home.
In a viral clip shared by the RCB on its social media handle, the all-rounder stressed that winning trophies is more important than individual records. Actually, the franchise teased Pandya’s return with a fiery social media post, calling him the “Clutch God” and rallying the “12th Man Army.”
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Sharing the clip, the RCB wrote in the caption: “𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔 starts with 𝗞 and ends with a 𝗟. ❤️🔥 He’s back! No wonder Bengaluru’s weather just got a little chillier today. 🥶😮💨 12th Man Army, let the love start pouring in for our Clutch God, Krunal Pandya.”
With Krunal’s fearless attitude and knack for performing in crucial moments under pressure, the defending champions are hoping he will help the side to lift the team once again.
Has Krunal Pandya taken a subtle dig at Virat Kohli?
In that clip, the Baroda captain made it clear that team success comes first, and he is ready to help RCB chase glory again, having tasted success for the first time after 18 years.
Krunal Pandya said in the clip, “Winning becomes much more important than individual performance. I love winning trophies. 12th Man Army, I am back. Let’s do it all over again.”
Many are taking it as a subtle dig at Virat Kohli. Actually, many fans and cricket experts feel RCB struggled for titles before 2025 because too much focus was on Kohli’s individual records rather than on team strategy. However, Kohli couldn’t take the team to title glory, but never disappointed as a batter and achieved several milestones.
𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗔 starts with 𝗞 and ends with a 𝗟 ❤️🔥
He’s back! No wonder Bengaluru’s weather just got lil chillier today. 🥶😮💨
12th Man Army, let the love start pouring in for our Clutch God, Krunal Pandya. ⬇️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/BKynQApARl
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 18, 2026
Virat Kohli ignores critics, Krunal Pandya emerges as RCB’s new X-Factor
Though he faced criticism for his slow strike rate. But Kohli has always ignored critics, saying outside opinions don’t affect him. He believes only he understands the game situations and relies on instincts and skills. The former RCB skipper is the highest run-scorer in IPL history and has played his entire career with the franchise.
The right-handed batter has so far amassed a massive 8,661 runs in 267 matches, including 8 centuries and 63 half-centuries, making him one of the most consistent and dangerous batters the IPL has ever seen. On the other hand, Pandya played a key role in RCB’s first IPL title in 2025.
The Indian all-rounder was bought for ₹5.75 crore at the mega auction, and he went on to become the team’s backbone. In 15 matches, Krunal scored 109 runs and took 17 wickets at an economy rate of 8.24. He gave RCB the balance they needed to win the trophy.
Read Also: “They can go for a left-hand-right-hand”: Ex-CSK batter drops key advice for RCB ahead of IPL 2026
