April 28, 2025: Krunal Pandya delivered a stellar all-round performance to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 46 of the IPL 2025, earning himself the Player of the Match award. The seasoned all-rounder showcased his value with both bat and ball, playing a crucial unbeaten knock of 73 off 47 balls and taking one wicket while conceding just 28 runs in his four overs.
Speaking after the match, Krunal expressed satisfaction over his contributions, crediting the hard work he has been putting in behind the scenes. “It is always good to see the results. Sometimes, when you have put the hard work behind the scenes, it feels good when it comes off,” said Krunal.
Reflecting on his role in the team, the 34-year-old said, “My role was clear. If we lose three early wickets, I can go in. Make sure we stitch a partnership. We have such great power hitters – David, Jitesh, and Shepherd – who can take down the bowling. Glad that I fulfilled my role.”
Krunal also praised Virat Kohli for his support during the innings. “When Virat is at the other end, it is quite easy. The first 20 balls were scratchy for me, but he kept backing me. Then I got my mojo back,” he shared.
On the bowling front, Krunal emphasized the importance of staying ahead of the batters and constantly evolving his skills. “As a bowler, I have always wanted to be one step ahead. I have worked on my bowling — variations in speed, understanding the batsman’s strengths — and I’m glad it’s going in my favour,” he noted. “I want the batters to keep guessing what I have in my armoury.”
Krunal Pandya’s balanced contribution is a strong reminder of his experience and value in RCB’s lineup, especially as they push toward the IPL 2025 playoffs. With big-hitters like Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, and Romario Shepherd also in form, RCB’s batting firepower looks increasingly formidable.