RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya played a key role in the franchise’s first IPL title in 2025 with a series of clutch performances. However, he is not satisfied and is already aiming for more success with star Virat Kohli in the upcoming season.
Krunal was the man of the match in the IPL opener last year and capped off the campaign with another POTM award in the final, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru end their 18-year wait for a title. In the process, he became the only player to win the Player of the Match award in two IPL finals, first doing so in 2017 during Mumbai Indians’ winning run.
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The 2025 season was the best in his IPL career. Krunal finished as the best finger-spinner in the tournament and recorded his personal best bowling figures. He picked up 17 wickets, the second most for RCB after Josh Hazlewood’s 22, and established himself as a key option in pressure situations.
“I feel really good that whatever I said in 2022 came out exactly the way I said it. After a 17-year drought and then in the 18th season, RCB won the trophy and I was a part of it – I had a decent, small contribution to their success – I can’t ask for more than that. I’m still hungry for the future. Info. Pandya told ESPN that this is just the beginning,” Krunal said.
Krunal also thanked RCB spin-bowling coach Malolan Rangarajan for supporting his approach and encouraging him to expand his bowling, including using the bouncer as an option. He comes into IPL 2026 after his best season in the tournament and has more weapons in his bowling arsenal than ever before.
“I agree. I’ll give Malolan a lot of credit. What happens as players, sometimes you know certain things are going to work for you, but he gave me so much validity and pushed me to do it. He encouraged me to bowl slowly and go for wickets, bowl the bouncer. He said if you feel like it, bowl the bouncer.”
“He supported me and trusted my understanding of the game to a level where it was do what you want, don’t back down (no),” added Krunal.
RCB will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Krunal looking to build on what he says is only the beginning of a successful phase.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
24 Mar 2026 09:20 IST
