In an era where power hitters dominate the highlight reels and scorecards swell at breakneck speed, it’s easy to assume that T20 cricket belongs almost exclusively to the batsmen. Yet occasionally a pitcher disrupts this narrative and forces himself to shift his focus. Krunal Pandya has done just that in the Indian Premier League this season.
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For Krunal, reinvention was not an option. It became a necessity. Since joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru last season, he has been steadily carving out a new identity for himself. He is no longer just a reliable all-rounder. He has emerged as one of the most exciting bowling forces in the competition. In a tournament where innovation often dictates survival, Krunal deliberately leaned on change.
While his younger brother Hardik Pandya continues to thrive as one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket, Krunal’s journey has taken a different path. It’s a journey built on experimentation and adaptation. Rather than following the same template, he has focused on discovering new ways to stay relevant in a format that is constantly pushing its limits.
This season, this development has been impossible to ignore. Krunal added unexpected dimensions to his bowling. He served faster balls and reached a speed of 120 km/h. He mixed in a surprise bouncer. He even deployed a low arm action that disrupts the batsman’s rhythm. These are not variations used for novelty. They are calculated responses to a format where predictability is swiftly punished.
REINVENTION THROUGH NECESSITY
The motivation behind this constant development comes from his mindset as much as his skills.
“When it comes to pressure situations, I have always enjoyed them,” Krunal said in an interview with JioHotstar. “I suppose a lot of the things I’ve brought into my cricket I’ve actually learned from life itself. I’ve always believed you only have one mind. The same mind you use to navigate life is the one you usually use in sport.”
This outlook shaped his approach. He doesn’t shy away from pressure. Instead, he takes it as an opportunity to test himself and grow, something that also informs how he views his broader goals.
“There is nothing greater than playing for your country,” he added. “However, my focus is on what is actually under my control, how I can perform consistently and how I can contribute to the team’s victory.”
THRIVES UNDER PRESSURE
It’s a grounded perspective. It emphasizes the process rather than the result. At the same time, it allows him the freedom to challenge conventional thinking, which is evident when he talks about his innovations.
“I mean, why should fast bowlers have fun?” he said. “So, I thought, now is the time for the spinners to get in on the action.
This belief was transferred directly to the field. In a format that often favors batsmen, Krunal has found ways to push back. He forced opponents to rethink their approach. He made them react instead of dictating.
“But honestly, whatever’s been going on so far has been going really well,” he said. “And since people everywhere are trying to copy it, it’s great to set a trend like that.”
STAY ONE STEP AHEAD
Beneath the innovation lies a deeper understanding of how the game has evolved. Part of the IPL since 2016, Krunal has witnessed a rapid transformation in batting.
“Every year you see an evolution in batting techniques,” he explained. “Sometimes when you’re standing there at the top of your run-up, you really find yourself thinking, where on earth am I going to jump? Because I feel like no matter where you’re going, the batsman is ready to hit it.”
This challenge sparked his creativity. Instead of sticking to familiar methods, he actively sought ways to stay ahead.
“So what can I add to my bowling repertoire to ensure I’m one step ahead again?” he said as he reflected on his approach this season.
This effort to improve did not occur in isolation. Krunal acknowledged the role of his support system, especially RCB spin bowling coach Malolana Rangarajan. The support he received allowed him to experiment without hesitation.
“When a coach supports you the way he does, it makes a huge difference,” Krunal said. “When I say I want to play this delivery or I want to try it, it gives me a lot of confidence.
As the IPL continues to evolve, the challenge for the bowlers gets tougher with each passing season. Batsmen continue to raise the bar. New scoring methods are emerging. Margins for error are shrinking.
Yet players like Krunal Pandya show that adaptation can still tip the balance. By embracing change, trusting his instincts and committing to constant improvement, he has found a way to excel in a format that rarely offers pitchers consistent control.
In what is often considered a batter game, Krunal has created his own space. He didn’t follow the trend. He worked on its new definition.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
25 Apr 2026 04:00 IST
