Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya put his body on the line and bared the aftermath of the effort after delivering a stunning, match-winning knock of 73 against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday. The Baroda player’s innings proved decisive in a demanding 167-run chase at a lively Raipur venue, where he had to manage severe cramps while still showing poise under pressure. Krunal struck 73 off 46 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes, and after the game he shared images and wrote that some scars are evidence that the fight mattered.
On the back of that performance, Krunal’s form has continued to look increasingly purposeful. This knock was another reminder of his improved rhythm with the bat this season, as he has now compiled 141 runs across six matches, holding an average of 35.50 and a strike rate of 150.00.
RCB’s bowling sets the tone after the toss
In the match itself, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first. The call was quickly rewarded as Mumbai found themselves reeling early, slipping to 28/3 during the powerplay under the pressure created by Bhuvneshwar’s controlled spell.
Just as the chase looked to be slipping away, Naman Dhir steadied the innings with a composed 47 off 32 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and two maximums. He was well supported by Tilak Varma, who struck 57 from 42 balls with three fours and two sixes. Together, they stitched an 82-run partnership that powered MI to 166/7 at the end of 20 overs.
Bhuvneshwar was the standout bowler for RCB, finishing with figures of 4/23. Josh Hazlewood chipped in with 1/33, while Romario Shepherd also contributed with 1/18 across three overs to keep the chase within reach.
Kohli gone again as Krunal takes charge
During RCB’s chase, Virat Kohli was dismissed for 0 for the second consecutive time, adding another blow to the visitors’ early momentum. RCB slid to 39/3 as Deepak Chahar controlled the middle overs with his spell and kept Mumbai tight.
Krunal then shifted the contest in RCB’s favour, establishing a 55-run stand with Jacob Bethell. Bethell made 26 off 27 balls, striking two boundaries in his stay. Krunal followed that up with another important 38-run partnership, this time with Jitesh Sharma, who contributed 18 runs, as RCB accelerated towards a fighting fifty.
That momentum was not allowed to run unchecked, though. Corbin Bosch struck at crucial moments, returning 4/26, while Allah Ghazanfar took 1/33. Their wickets included Krunal’s dismissal, which swung the game back slightly in Mumbai’s direction and reduced RCB to 149/7 after 18 overs.
Last over drama seals a thrilling finish
Romario Shepherd struggled against Jasprit Bumrah, scoring 4 off 11 balls while Bumrah produced a tidy spell of 0/20. With RCB needing 12 runs for the final over, the equation looked tense—but the pressure was eased by a quick burst of extras from Raj Angad Bawa and a six off Bhuvneshwar.
Even after Romario’s dismissal, RCB held their nerve. Rasikh Salam Dar finished 3 not out and struck the winning runs as the chase ended with a last-ball success, giving RCB a dramatic victory.
Points table update
After the result, RCB sit at the top of the IPL points table with seven wins and four losses, collecting 14 points. Mumbai remain in ninth place with three wins and eight defeats, and their campaign has ended in terms of playoff qualification, with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also eliminated from the race.
