Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya has spoken about how the Impact Player rule is reshaping batting in the IPL, while also explaining the adjustments he and other bowlers are making to stay effective in an era of increasingly aggressive line-ups. Pandya pointed to young batters coming in with confidence and trying to score from the first ball, and he stressed that bowlers now need to outthink opponents as much as outskill them.
Key takeaways
- Krunal Pandya said the Impact Player rule has made batting plans more aggressive by allowing teams to include up to eight specialist batters.
- He noted that young players such as Mukul Choudhary and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are arriving to bat and attacking from ball one.
- Pandya stressed that bowlers must stay one step ahead through both skill execution and the mental battle.
- He credited recent IPL success to adapting his approach, including using bouncers and varying his lengths.
- While he hopes finger spinners can still succeed, he admitted flat T20 surfaces and deeper batting groups make the job tougher.
Impact Player rule: more specialists, faster starts
Pandya explained that the game’s balance has shifted since the Impact Player concept was introduced. In his view, earlier match-ups often meant teams carried an all-rounder around positions like six and seven, which naturally influenced how those overs were approached. Now, with the ability to field as many as eight pure batters, sides are able to load their line-ups with hitters and set a more attacking tone right from the outset.
He highlighted the confidence shown by emerging names in the league, saying that players like Mukul Choudhary and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are not only getting opportunities but are also backing themselves to score consistently from the first ball they face. Pandya’s message for bowlers was straightforward: you cannot simply rely on having the right skills, because you have to be ahead of the batter’s intent—both technically and mentally.
“Previously, when you didn’t have an Impact Player, you would often see a number six all-rounder and a number seven all-rounder, so batsmanship looked different,” Pandya said. “But now, with eight specialist batters alongside their skills, you see young players—Mukul, Vaibhav, and many others—coming in and hitting from ball one again and again. As a bowler, I always want to be one step ahead, with the skill set and with the mental battle as well.”
Adapting as a bowler: bouncers, lengths and the fight for finger-spinners
Pandya also reflected on his recent run of form and how he has been tailoring his deliveries to the demands of modern T20 cricket. He spoke about incorporating variations into his bowling plan, including the use of bouncers and adjusting his lengths, to keep batters uncomfortable and disrupt their rhythm.
He expressed satisfaction that these changes are paying off, while addressing a wider trend in the format: finger spinners are facing increasing difficulty. Pandya pointed to the combination of flat pitch conditions and line-ups containing eight specialist batters, which he believes has made it harder for finger spinners to thrive and consistently extract rewards from their spell.
“It has come from that—whether it’s me bowling those bouncers, bending my knee and getting that ball in,” he said. “I’m glad it’s coming out well, and I hope that in this format, finger spinners can still survive, take something out of the game, and do well. Because with flat tracks and eight batters, it has become very difficult for a finger spinner.”
IPL numbers and a timeline through his franchise career
Pandya’s impact has shown up in the numbers as well. He has amassed 1,757 runs in 146 IPL matches at an average of 21.96. With the ball, he has taken 98 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 7.51.
His IPL journey began when Mumbai Indians selected Krunal Pandya in the 2016 auction for Rs 2 crore. He quickly became part of the franchise’s lower-middle order alongside Hardik and Kieron Pollard. In his debut IPL season, Pandya scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 191.12 and also finished with six wickets.
In the 2017 IPL final, he earned the Player of the Match award for a composed knock of 47 from 38 balls in a low-scoring game. The next year, Mumbai Indians retained him in the auction, bringing him back for Rs 8.80 crore.
Across Mumbai’s back-to-back title campaigns in 2019 and 2020, Pandya remained an important presence in the middle order. He played a notable role in the 2020 final against Delhi Capitals by hitting the winning runs.
When two new teams entered the IPL in 2022, Pandya returned to the auction and was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8.25 crore. He helped the franchise reach the playoffs in each of its first two seasons.
IPL 2025: Jeddah auction, maiden title and Final Player of the Match
Pandya then moved to IPL 2025 after being bought for Rs 5.75 crore at the auction held in Jeddah. He played a key role as his side won their maiden IPL title.
In the IPL 2025 Final, he was named Player of the Match after putting together figures of 4-0-17-2 against Punjab Kings and leading his team to the trophy.
