Krunal Pandya’s voice broke during the live broadcast after Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off a tense escape to beat Mumbai Indians in a dramatic IPL 2026 clash in Raipur. The all-rounder’s emotions spilled over as he spoke about Kieron Pollard and the formative years he spent with the franchise that shaped his career.
RCB’s chase sets up a dramatic finish
Bengaluru’s successful reply hinged on Krunal’s innings, which proved decisive in the chase. He struck 73 runs as RCB hunted down 167, ultimately sealing the win by two wickets in a high-pressure finish.
- RCB chased a target of 167
- Krunal Pandya made 73 during the chase
- Bengaluru won by two wickets in the IPL 2026 match in Raipur
- The victory carried major consequences for Mumbai Indians, whose campaign ended after another narrow defeat
Krunal reflects on six seasons with MI
For Krunal, the night carried a personal weight beyond the scoreboard. He had been with Mumbai Indians for six seasons, from 2016 to 2021, a period in which he experienced the franchise’s peak success and cemented his role as one of their trusted all-round options.
- Krunal played for Mumbai Indians across six seasons from 2016 to 2021
- He won three IPL titles during his time with MI
- Those years helped him develop into a key, dependable all-rounder for the franchise
Pollard, the Pandya bond, and the MI engine room
Speaking after the game, Krunal opened up about his connection with Pollard, a central figure in Mumbai’s title-winning era. He described Pollard as a guiding presence in the dressing room and highlighted the close bond that formed around the group’s core of match-winners and leaders.
“Polly (Kieron Pollard) is my big brother. I have spent my best six years at Mumbai Indians. I remember Kieron Pollard and the Pandya brothers being the engine room there. It was obviously emotional, and I love Kieron Pollard. A terrific human being. GOAT of the format and won so many trophies and games. And as he says, you can’t keep a good man down,” Krunal said on the broadcast.
Krunal’s comments also underlined how Pollard and the Pandya brothers combined to give MI an edge in the middle and death overs. Pollard arrived at MI in 2010 and became a pivotal part of the franchise’s five-title dominance, while Hardik Pandya and Krunal provided the side with all-round balance when it mattered most.
- Pollard joined Mumbai Indians in 2010
- He became central to MI’s five-title era
- Hardik Pandya and Krunal brought all-round balance through the middle and death overs
- Pollard and the Pandya brothers formed a strong lower-middle-order unit
- That combination repeatedly delivered finishing strength, bowling depth, and control in big moments
Emotions on broadcast and a gentle wrap-up
The strain in Krunal’s voice became apparent as the interview continued. Ian Bishop, who was conducting the post-match interaction, noticed the cracking and ended the conversation carefully.
“I hear your voice cracking. So, I apologise for that. I will let you go now,” Bishop said.
After the match, Krunal walked away with a mix of professional satisfaction and old loyalty. He had given RCB a crucial win, hurt the franchise that shaped him, and spoke about Kieron Pollard with the warmth reserved for family—less like a former teammate, and more like someone remembering a part of his own story.
