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Krunal Pandya's Gritty 73 Leads RCB to Dramatic Win Over MI

Krunal Pandya played a gritty match-winning knock of 73 runs to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. Battling cramps on a difficult Raipur surface, the all-rounder anchored the chase with resilience and calculated aggression. Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher praised Krunal as a "street fighter" who refused to give up despite physical struggles. The dramatic victory came after Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit a six in the final over to complete the tense chase.

Key Points: Krunal Pandya: Street Fighter Leads RCB to Win Over MI

  • Krunal Pandya scores match-winning 73 for RCB vs MI
  • Boucher calls Krunal a "street fighter" who wouldn't go down
  • RCB chase 166 on difficult Raipur surface
  • Krunal battles cramps during crucial innings
2 min read

'Krunal is a street fighter who just wouldn't go down': Boucher

Mark Boucher praises Krunal Pandya's match-winning 73 as RCB beat MI by 2 wickets in IPL 2026. Krunal's gritty knock on difficult Raipur surface seals dramatic chase.

"In low-scoring games, you need street fighters to win you matches. When I look at Krunal Pandya, I see a street fighter. - Mark Boucher"

New Delhi, May 11

Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher showered praise on Krunal Pandya after the all-rounder's gritty match-winning knock guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dramatic two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in their recent IPL 2026 clash.

On a difficult Raipur surface where stroke-making remained challenging throughout the evening, Krunal anchored RCB's tense chase with a fighting 73 while wickets kept falling regularly at the other end. Battling cramps in the latter half of his innings, the left-hander combined resilience with calculated aggression to keep RCB alive before Bhuvneshwar Kumar completed the tense chase with a six in the final over.

Reflecting on the innings, Boucher described Krunal as the perfect player for difficult low-scoring contests.

"In low-scoring games, you need street fighters to win you matches. When I look at Krunal Pandya, I see a street fighter. He's not always easy on the eye, but he finds a way. It's like the dog in a fight, he just wouldn't go down." Boucher told JioStar.

RCB were under pressure for most of the chase after losing Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar early. Mumbai Indians repeatedly clawed their way back into the game through Corbin Bosch and Jasprit Bumrah, but Krunal continued to absorb pressure while finding boundaries at crucial moments.

Mumbai had defended strongly despite setting a modest target of 166, with Bosch producing a sensational spell and Bumrah delivering a brilliant penultimate over that left RCB needing 15 off the last six balls. But Krunal's earlier effort ensured Bengaluru remained within striking distance.

"I think Mumbai Indians showed some great intent. There was a lot of desperation, but they were really up against one man, and that was Krunal Pandya. He did his part brilliantly," Boucher observed.

The former Proteas cricketer also highlighted Krunal's physical struggle during the final stages of the innings. The all-rounder repeatedly needed treatment for cramps and at times appeared barely able to move between deliveries, yet continued to target the boundary effectively.

"At one point, it looked like he could barely stand anymore; he was just standing there swinging. And when he swung, most of the time, he hit the middle of the bat. This game has to go down as a massive tick for Krunal Pandya. He wanted it desperately; you could see it in his eyes," Boucher added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Nisha Z
Krunal has always been underrated in the IPL, especially after that controversy with the BCCI. But days like this show why he's a vital player. RCB fans must be thanking their stars they picked him up. And Boucher, as a coach, really understands the value of players who grind it out. Good analysis.
J
James A
What an incredible knock! Krunal Pandya is the ultimate definition of a street fighter. Watching him battle cramps and still hit those boundaries was inspiring. Boucher is absolutely right - in low-scoring games, you need someone like Krunal who just won't give up. Hard to believe he was once written off by many fans. RCB's lower order is clicking well this season.
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Sneha F
Krunal's knock was brilliant, no doubt. But I feel we should also credit Bhuvneshwar Kumar for finishing the game under pressure. Krunal set the platform, but Bhuvi's six was the final nail. As for Boucher's comments - yes, Krunal is a street fighter, but I'd like to see more consistency from him. One great innings doesn't erase his struggles in previous seasons. Just saying.
K
Kirthi O
Krunal Pandya is proving why family legacies matter in Indian cricket. Both Pandya brothers have that fighting spirit - Hardik with his explosive power, Krunal with his gritty resilience. This knock against Mumbai, a team that released him, must feel extra sweet. Boucher's 'dog in a fight' comment might sound harsh but it's pure respect in cricketing terms. RCB's back-to-back wins under pressure show they're genuine title contenders this year. Jai ho Krunal bhai! 🙌

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