Raipur didn\u2019t just test Krunal Pandya\u2019s muscles on Sunday night\u2014it also tested his resolve. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder delivered an eye-catching, Glenn Maxwell-esque burst of batting before revealing he was managing more than one physical problem. Krunal struck a match-defining unbeaten 73 off 46 balls as RCB chased down 167 against Mumbai Indians in a last-ball thriller, and later shared evidence of another injury battle that added further context to his grit.<\/p>\n
For much of IPL 2026, RCB hadn\u2019t needed Krunal to do a heavy share of the batting, with their top and middle order typically controlling proceedings. That changed on Sunday when captain Rajat Patidar fell in the final over of the powerplay, prompting Krunal to move up to No. 5.<\/p>\n
As the chase progressed, Krunal\u2019s innings turned into a test of endurance. Severe cramps struck midway through the run chase, leaving him effectively batting \u201con one leg\u201d while still finding ways to score. Despite the discomfort, he steadied the pursuit and kept the pressure on, finishing unbeaten on 73 from 46 balls as he helped RCB reach their target of 167 in a tense, ball-by-ball finale.<\/p>\n
Beyond the cramps that limited his running between the wickets, Krunal also revealed that he was carrying an additional injury. After the match, he posted on Instagram and shared a photo showing a large scar across his stomach. In the caption, he wrote: \u201cSome scars are proof that it was worth fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Krunal also pointed to the work done off the field in shaping RCB\u2019s batting identity. He credited veteran all-rounder and mentor Dinesh Karthik for the team\u2019s improved approach with the bat. Speaking after the game, Krunal explained that Karthik\u2019s impact has shown up both last season and this year, even through inconsistent stretches.<\/p>\n
According to Krunal, RCB\u2019s ability to stay composed during high-pressure phases comes from detailed planning around match-ups and then executing that plan during the chase. He described how the team\u2019s discussions are built around identifying bowlers they believe they can challenge.<\/p>\n
That tactical adjustment\u2014combined with the discipline to stick to the plan\u2014helped Krunal turn a physically tough situation into a winning finish, underscoring why his 73* mattered so much in RCB\u2019s successful chase of 167.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Raipur didn\u2019t just test Krunal Pandya\u2019s muscles on Sunday night\u2014it also tested his resolve. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder delivered an eye-catching, Glenn Maxwell-esque burst…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9072,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"RCB vs MI: Krunal Pandya Injury Fight as IPL Thriller","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"RCB\u2019s last-ball thriller vs MI turned brutal as Krunal Pandya battled injuries, powering an unbeaten 73 and revealing the scar behind his gritty fight.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n