Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya is turning his IPL form into a national-team ambition, with his sights firmly set on a potential India return and a role in the 2027 ODI World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. In Sunday’s match, he showed the kind of pressure-hitting RCB have come to rely on, doing so despite a tough day on a Raipur pitch, wickets falling at the other end and cramps affecting both his legs. The result was a counter-attacking burst that lifted his side to the summit of the points table, delivering plenty of joy for RCB supporters.
Key takeaways
- Krunal Pandya said his long-held dream of playing for India remains unchanged and that the 2027 World Cup gives extra motivation.
- During the season, Krunal has produced 141 runs across six innings at an average of 35.25 and a strike rate of 150.00, with a top score of 73.
- He has also contributed with the ball, taking 10 wickets at an average above 29 while keeping an economy of 8.70, including best figures of 2/30.
- RCB won the toss, chose to bowl first, and later chased down the target to register a last-ball victory.
- In the chase, Krunal’s 55-run partnership with Jacob Bethell and another 38-run stand with Jitesh Sharma helped RCB reach a competitive position before late wickets tightened the contest.
- With seven wins and four losses, RCB lead the table on 14 points, while MI are ninth with three wins and eight defeats and are out of the playoff race along with Lucknow Super Giants.
Krunal’s IPL form and the India comeback push
Amid a strong 2026 IPL run with both bat and ball, Krunal is aiming to climb back into India contention. He battled multiple issues in his standout knock—wickets falling at the other end, the difficult nature of the Raipur surface that caused uneven bounce, and his own physical discomfort. With cramps in both legs, he still launched a major counter-attack, driving RCB to the top of the standings and ending the day on a positive note for the franchise’s fans.
This season has also underlined why Krunal remains a valuable all-round option in franchise cricket. His batting flashes are a reminder of the early career impact that took him—and his brother Hardik—toward prominence during their formative years with Mumbai Indians. In the current IPL campaign, he has managed 141 runs in six innings, averaging 35.25 with a strike rate of 150.00. His output includes one fifty, and his best batting return so far is 73.
With the ball, Krunal’s contributions have been just as important to RCB’s balance. He has claimed 10 wickets at an average of more than 29 and an economy rate of 8.70, with his best spell reading 2/30. RCB’s progress over the past two seasons has been shaped by Krunal’s experience in Indian cricket and his ability to produce match-shaping moments—particularly when games become tight.
Speaking after the match, Krunal focused on the motivation that never fades. He said that as a young child—around six or seven years old—he wanted to represent his country, and that the goal is still the same today. He also pointed to the next year’s World Cup opportunity, adding that he hopes to keep performing and hopes an opening comes his way, which he believes would be special for him and his family.
International record, domestic numbers and the match details
On the international stage, Krunal has played five ODIs for India, scoring 130 runs across four innings at an average of 65.00. His strike rate in that format stands at 101.56, including a 58 not out on debut—reported as the quickest ODI fifty by an Indian on debut. He has also taken two wickets in those five ODIs.
In T20Is, Krunal has featured in 19 matches and 10 innings, collecting 124 runs at an average of 24.80 with a strike rate over 130. His highest score is 26 not out, while his bowling return includes 15 wickets at an average above 36, including a four-wicket haul.
Krunal’s last appearance for India came in July 2021, but the hunger to keep playing for his country remains strong for the 35-year-old.
His List-A record adds further evidence of his all-round value. He has accumulated 3,001 runs in 98 matches and 93 innings, striking at 88.03 with an average of 38.47. The tally includes three hundreds and 17 fifties, and his bowling numbers include 118 wickets at an average of 31.94, with best figures of 6/41.
In the Vijay Hazare Trophy last year, he delivered a productive run for Baroda, scoring 321 runs in seven games at an average above 53 and striking at more than 106. His tournament included a century and two fifties, and he also captured seven wickets at an economy rate of 5.38.
RCB vs MI: how the chase swung late
Turning to the game, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first. The early choice looked spot-on as MI slipped to 28/3 during the powerplay, helped by a dominant spell from Bhuvneshwar. Still, MI recovered through partnerships, with Naman Dhir hitting 47 off 32 balls featuring five fours and two sixes, and Tilak Varma contributing 57 off 42 balls with three fours and two sixes. Together they added 82 runs, taking the innings to 166/7 in 20 overs.
Bhuvneshwar finished with 4/23 as RCB’s leading wicket-taker. Josh Hazlewood took 1/33, while Romario Shepherd chipped in with 1/18 across three overs.
In RCB’s chase, Virat Kohli was dismissed for 0 for the second straight match, and RCB were reduced to 39/3. Deepak Chahar played a key role in steering that phase, but Krunal responded with momentum. He forged a 55-run partnership with Jacob Bethell, who scored 26 off 27 balls with two fours, and then added another 38-run stand with Jitesh Sharma, who made 18. Those links enabled Krunal to reach a brilliant counter-attacking fifty.
Just as RCB looked set, Corbin Bosch and Allah Ghazanfar struck at crucial moments. Krunal was dismissed as the pressure rose, and RCB slumped to 149/7 in 18 overs.
Romario Shepherd endured a struggle against Jasprit Bumrah, managing 4 off 11 balls, which meant RCB required 12 runs from the final over. Raj Angad Bawa’s extras helped the cause, and a six from Bhuvneshwar eased the tension despite Romario’s dismissal. Ultimately, the finish came on the last ball, with Rasikh Salam Dar finishing unbeaten on 3* to drive the winning runs and seal a dramatic victory for RCB.
Standings: RCB top, MI knocked out
After the result, RCB remain at the top of the IPL points table with seven wins and four losses, giving them 14 points. MI are positioned ninth with three wins and eight defeats and have been ruled out of the playoff race, joining Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in elimination.
