In the IPL auction last December, Krunal Pandya was a talking point. As the paddle kept going up for him, many started questioning the prudence behind it. Isn’t he a spent force? What was his contribution at Lucknow Super Giants? As captain of LSG, he was underwhelming and that was one of the reasons they released him without batting an eyelid. Yet, RCB kept going and eventually got him for a handy 5 crores.
Krunal, despite all his efforts, has always been the less-talked about of the two brothers. Hardik is more successful and flamboyant, and Krunal, despite his periodic good efforts, has always been in shadow. Not so tonight. It was his night, and how. Four overs for 17 runs and 2 wickets, it was Krunal, against all odds, who did the master turn for RCB.
RCB fans take to the streets, firecrackers light up the sky, as the city embraces a frenzied atmosphere!
Captured by @Fancricket12.@Wowmomo4u @RCBTweets #RCBvsPBKS #RoyalChallengersBengaluru #iplfinal2025 #ViratKohli #CongratulationsRCB pic.twitter.com/yAApoJdUz3
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) June 3, 2025
Krunal is understated and grounded. He knows his limitations and operates within them. He is conscious he isn’t blessed with the same talent that Hardik has, and nor is he someone who can change games every single day. But he did on the night that mattered. The greatest moment in his career, and in the life of every RCB fan. The auction buy will go down in history as one of the best investments in RCB history, and Krunal will forever be feted in the history of the franchise.
The best part about Krunal tonight was his game awareness. He knew he wasn’t defending anything massive, and that Punjab Kings (PBKS) were off to a flier. He just bowled to his field, and did not give a single ball to hit. The discipline was the standout, and that’s a lesson for anyone wanting to bowl in T20 cricket. In 2024, Krunal was taken apart in a game for LSG, and many questioned why he bowled 3 overs when all the wickets were taken by the faster bowlers. Krunal digested it all, and came back stronger. And for once, the underdog stood up and made it count.
In a game where 10 runs was par, Krunal went for just 4 an over. That tells you how good he was and how much control he managed to exert. In fact, it could be said that he helped mask Virat Kohli’s inability to enforce tonight, which could have been a talking point had things gone South for RCB.
Finally, they have the trophy. And for Krunal, he has his moment. At times, sport is just excellent, for it always gives you a chance. Krunal grabbed it with both hands, and is justly the hero.