"Every IPL trophy is special.....": RCB's Krunal Pandya
Ahmedabad, June 1
Following his side's back-to-back Indian Premier League title win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Krunal Pandya expressed happiness at his franchise becoming only the third team to achieve the feat, saying that "every IPL trophy is special".
Krunal became one of the IPL's most well-accomplished players, securing his fifth IPL title, his second back-to-back title with RCB and played a crucial role in his team's success. Before this, he had secured three IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians (MI).
In 16 matches this season, Krunal scored 226 runs in nine matches at an average of 37.66 and a strike rate of 145.80, with a fifty and best score of 73. He also took 14 wickets at an average of 30.55, with best figures of 2/16. In the final, he bowled an economical spell of 1/23 in four overs.
Speaking after the match, Krunal said, "There is no doubt about it, every IPL trophy is special. It's like having kids, right? You cannot pick (which one is more special). Similar with IPL trophies because everything is so hard-earned. I am so glad and grateful that in 11 years, to have five trophies, it's pretty special for me."
On RCB's transformation over the last two seasons, he credited the coaching and support staff of Dinesh Karthik, batting coach and mentor, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and head coach Andy Flower.
"The way they prepared before the auction also last year and the way they set the team, right? The balance of it. Sometimes, half of the battle is won in the auction. I guess they did a pretty good job. And then eventually, it was on us to go out and deliver. And yeah, glad that we were able to have the hold on the trophy back-to-back. All these 18 years of waiting and then winning two back-to-back trophies, this is for the RCB fans. Wherever we have gone, they have supported us. And obviously for Virat as well, pretty special. Having two back-to-back trophies. It is amazing," he signed off.
Put to bat first by RCB, GT scored just 155/8 in 20 overs, with Washington Sundar (50* in 37 balls, with five fours) and Nishant Sindhu (20 in 18 balls, with three fours) being the only one to cross the 20-run mark. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29) and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) took wickets regularly.
RCB started off well with a 62-run stand between Venkatesh Iyer (32 in 16 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. GT showed some fight, reducing RCB to 132/5 at one point, but Virat (75* in 42 balls, with nine fours and three sixes) guided RCB to a win with two overs left. This is RCB's second IPL title win and overall their fourth Indian franchise cricket trophy, including two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm so happy for RCB and their fans! The way they've built the team under Andy Flower and Mo Bobat is just brilliant. Krunal's bowling in the final was superb - just 23 runs in 4 overs with a wicket. And Washington Sundar's 50* showed great temperament. Truly a team effort. Two WPL titles + two IPL titles - Bengaluru is becoming a cricket powerhouse!
Krunal Pandya's comment about trophies being like kids is honestly hilarious and heartwarming at the same time! 😂 Five IPL titles in 11 years is insane - he's been part of winning teams everywhere he goes. RCB's auction strategy last year really paid off. That Venkatesh Iyer-Kohli opening partnership set the tone perfectly.
Great win for RCB, but I feel Gujarat Titans didn't put enough runs on the board. 155 was always going to be tough to defend against this RCB batting lineup. However, credit to RCB's bowling attack - Rasikh Dar Salam was outstanding with 3 wickets. Krunal's experience really shows in pressure situations. Good to see Indian domestic talents getting chances in big finals.
Krunal Pandya's journey is just amazing - from being a lesser-known player to winning 5 IPL titles! And he always gives credit to the team management and support staff. That's true sportsmanship. RCB fans deserve this after years of heartbreak. Virat Kohli's 75* was vintage - timing and placement at its best. This RCB team looks set for a dynasty!
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