Rajat Patidar confers the highest honor ‘Aura’ on Krunal Pandya after RCB’s title win

Rajat Patidar AURA post for Krunal Pandya (Image: Rajat Patidar/Instagram) RCB’s back-to-back IPL title triumph was built on sheer team dominance and Krunal Pandya once again proved why he remains one of the franchise’s most valuable players. Following the historic campaign, skipper Rajat Patidar made sure to acknowledge the all-rounder’s contribution with a great Instagram post with the caption.RCB won 11 matches during their winning streak, including nine wins in the league stage, Qualifier 1 and the final. It was a season defined by consistency and authority, with the Bengaluru-based franchise living up to Patidar’s pre-season declaration that they were not defending the title but chasing another.Among the standout performers was Krunal Pandya who continued his reputation as RCB’s quiet hero. The all-rounder contributed 226 runs and took 14 wickets, becoming the first player in franchise history to achieve the double of 200 runs and 10 wickets in a single IPL season. The championship win also added another remarkable chapter to Krunal’s IPL legacy. The 2026 triumph was his fifth IPL title overall and second with RCB, having previously won three championships with Mumbai Indians in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

What was the most impressive aspect of RCB’s win?

After the title celebrations, Patidar’s Instagram tribute perfectly summed up Krunal’s impact on the team’s success. With a simple yet apt caption: “Aura never challenged! 🥶” – the RCB skipper paid tribute to one of the key architects behind the franchise’s historic titles. Krunal Pandya was a crucial player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their back-to-back IPL triumphs in 2025 and 2026. After being signed by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore in the 2025 mega auction, he cemented his status as one of the ultimate tournament winners in the tournament’s history. He performed in the biggest moments, playing in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans with a total of 43 runs off 28 balls and figures of 2/16. He came through again in the final, playing an economical spell of 1/23 in four overs to help RCB secure the championship. Throughout the season, Krunal has been a key player at the middle and higher levels, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 8.41.