April 20, 2025: As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) look to strengthen their playoff push, one man who’s quietly delivering outside of Bengaluru is all-rounder Krunal Pandya. While RCB’s bowling unit has struggled for consistency, Krunal has emerged as a vital weapon — but only away from the cauldron of M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
In the recent face-off against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur, Krunal once again proved his worth. The crafty left-arm spinner struck twice, removing both openers — Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh — while conceding just 25 runs in his four-over spell. It was a return fixture after RCB’s five-wicket loss to Punjab in a rain-affected game at home, and Krunal made sure his team started on the right foot this time around.
This performance added to a string of impressive away figures for Krunal in IPL 2025:
- 3/29 vs KKR
- 0/26 vs CSK
- 4/45 vs MI
- 1/29 vs RR
- 2/25 vs PBKS
With a total of 10 wickets from 18 overs away from home and a respectable economy of 8.55, Krunal has become RCB’s reliable man on unfamiliar turf. His control, flight, and ability to break partnerships have stood out — especially in pressure situations.
But the Home Story Tells a Different Tale
Back in Bengaluru, however, Krunal’s form has taken a dip. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its batter-friendly conditions, he’s gone wicketless in six overs and has been taken apart at an economy of 10.50. The sharp contrast between his home and away stats highlights a growing concern for RCB as they head into a crucial phase with four home games remaining.
For RCB to mount a serious challenge and tighten their grip on the playoff spots, Krunal will have to find a way to tame the small boundaries and high-scoring pitches of Bengaluru. His away form has been a big boost, but RCB will now hope he can translate that rhythm into home success, especially as the business end of the tournament approaches.
If Krunal finds his groove at home, RCB’s bowling attack could go from inconsistent to intimidating — just in time for a title charge.