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In match no.54 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) did a double over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Raipur. As RCB won the low-scoring thrilling game by 2 wickets, and went to the top of the table as they eliminated the five-time champions, becoming the second team to be eliminated.
Krunal Pandya, who played a match-winning knock of 73 in the game, was in nearly in tears while speaking about his former teammate Kieron Pollard and his own younger brother, Hardik Pandya. Previously, Krunal played for Mumbai and won four IPL trophies. He won three titles with the Mumbai Indians (2017, 2019, 2020) and one with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025.
Krunal Pandya the hero for RCB
Krunal Pandya today also came in between the loss and the win against his former franchise. He was excellent in the match, but cramping in the later stages of the game, he gave his all to make it a close-run margin. After the game, Krunal shared a beautiful hug with Pollard.
While he was asked about it post-match, he was emotional, and his voice was shaking while speaking about the relationship he shares with Pollard and Hardik. Alongside it, he also talked about his cramps and how he loves batting in tough situations.
Polly (Pollard) is my big brother- Krunal Pandya
Pandya said, “Polly (Pollard) is my big brother. I had my best six years at MI. Pandya brothers and Pollard, we were the engine room. He is a terrific human being. GOAT of this format,. Won so many trophies and so many games. As Polly says, you can’t keep a good man down.”
“I was cramping a lot. It started from calf, went to glutes and went to my back. It was something new for me. What matters is those two points. I love tough situations as I am always prepared. I look forward to doing it when things are tough. The shot Bhuvi played was the shot of the match. It was a wicket where you had to play cricketing shots.”
“You had to get into good positions and you had to apply and grind. It’s fine (body), lot of cramps. Now onwards I guess I will take of lot of fluids and food. I felt like I can take the spinner on since I was batting well so I thought let me play all six balls.”
RCB win a thriller at Raipur
Coming to the match, after being invited to bat first, Mumbai were in deep trouble, but then Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir stitched 82 runs, and as the latter was back, scoring 47 runs in the game. Tilak scored 57 runs off 42 deliveries as MI finished off with the score of 165/8 in their 20 overs. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar picking four wickets.
While chasing RCB were also in trouble with 39/3, and then Krunal and Jacob Bathell stitched a partnership. But the wickets later on kept on falling as the former stuck at one end, as they tried to bring the match as close as possible, and in the end, RCB won it off the final ball.
