IPL 2025: “Only One Pandya Could Win Tonight”: Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya’s four-wicket haul, including three scalps in the final over, powers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a thrilling 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025

Mumbai, April 8: Krunal Pandya delivered a stunning all-round performance to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pull off a thrilling 12-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Monday.

With MI needing 19 off the final over, Krunal kept his nerves and took three crucial wickets, finishing with 4/45 — dismissing Will Jacks, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, and Deepak Chahar. His last-over heroics and overall performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

🎙️ Krunal on Bowling the Final Over

“When I came on to bowl, the leg side was shorter. I’ve played enough here over the last 10 years to know how to handle that,” Krunal shared after the game.
“Sometimes, it’s just about committing fully to the plan. That’s what I did — backed myself, and it worked.”

He also acknowledged the emotional weight of facing off against his brother, Hardik Pandya, who nearly took the game away with a blazing 42:

“Only one Pandya could win tonight. I feel for him, but for us, winning is what matters.”

💬 On Team Bonding and Leadership

Krunal credited the leadership of Rajat Patidar and praised Jitesh Sharma for his dual role behind the stumps and with the bat.

“Jitesh has improved a lot. His awareness while batting is top-notch, and he’s always been sharp with the gloves. Rajat is calm and backs your game — that gives bowlers confidence.”

🏏 Match Recap

• RCB posted 221/5, with stellar knocks from Virat Kohli (67), Devdutt Padikkal (37), Rajat Patidar (64), and *Jitesh Sharma (40 off 19)**.
• In response, MI’s chase was powered by a stunning 89-run stand between Tilak Varma (56 off 29) and Hardik Pandya (42 off 15).
• Jasprit Bumrah, returning to MI’s playing XI, was economical with 0/29, but MI’s bowling was otherwise expensive.

In the end, RCB’s bowlers — Krunal Pandya (4/45), Josh Hazlewood (2/37), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/48) — held their nerve to restrict MI to 209/9.

📊 Points Table Update

• RCB now sits third on the table with three wins in four games, all away from home.
• MI, struggling with just one win in five games, has slipped to eighth place.

A thrilling night in Mumbai ended with the Pandya brothers at the center of attention — but it was Krunal’s calmness and class that ultimately prevailed.