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Key Points

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowlers delivered an impressive performance to restrict Punjab Kings to 157/6 after a promising start. Krunal Pandya highlighted the team's strategic bowling, particularly emphasizing the effectiveness of slower deliveries. The match showcased RCB's ability to pull back momentum after a challenging powerplay. With a manageable target set, RCB now focuses on chasing down the runs in this exciting IPL encounter.

Key Points: Krunal Praises RCB Bowlers for Restricting Punjab Kings

  • RCB bowlers controlled Punjab's batting after strong powerplay start
  • Krunal and Suyash Sharma took two crucial wickets each
  • Slower deliveries proved challenging for Punjab batsmen
2 min read

IPL 2025: Great effort to restrict Punjab to 157 after the good start, says RCB's Krunal

RCB's Krunal Pandya highlights team's bowling strategy that limited Punjab Kings to 157/6 in crucial IPL match

"From that position to restrict them to 157 was a great effort - Krunal Pandya"

New Chandigarh, April 20

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya praised the effort of his bowlers and credited them for restricting Punjab Kings to 157/6 in 20 overs following a good start at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Invited to bat first, Punjab Kings were 62/1 at the end of the powerplay after quick-fire knocks from openers Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (33).

However, RCB bowlers brought them back in the back and dominated in the middle overs with Krunal and Suyash Sharma striking with two wickets each while remaining economical in their four overs.

"Pretty good effort. The way they started in powerplay, they put us under pressure. From that position to restrict them to 157 was a great effort," Krunal told broadcasters in the mid-innings break.

He further revealed that bowling at a slow pace made it difficult for batters to score.

"What I realised when the fast bowlers bowled, pace-on deliveries were much easier to face. I realised on this wicket, the slower you bowl, it's difficult for batters," he said.

"We have to bat really well. Powerplay becomes crucial. If we bat to our potential, we can chase this down," the all-rounder added.

After losing wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs, Shashank Singh and Marco Jansen contributed 31 and 25 respectively to take the side over the 150-run mark.

RCB will now rely on their batters to avenge their five-wicket loss against Punjab Kings at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Krunal's analysis was spot on! The way RCB pulled things back after that explosive start shows their bowling depth. That slower ball strategy worked wonders 👏 #PlayBold
P
Priya M.
As a Punjab fan, I'm disappointed with the middle order collapse again 😕 We had such a great platform but couldn't capitalize. Need better game awareness from our batters.
A
Arjun S.
Respectful criticism: While Krunal bowled well, I think RCB still relies too much on their spinners. Their pace attack needs to step up in death overs if they want to win the trophy this year.
S
Sanjana T.
That partnership between Shashank and Jansen saved Punjab from complete embarrassment! 157 might be defendable if their bowlers find the right lengths early on. Exciting chase coming up! �
V
Vikram J.
Krunal proving why he's one of the smartest T20 cricketers around. His reading of the pitch and adjusting his bowling accordingly was masterclass stuff today!
N
Neha P.
Can we appreciate how good the new Chandigarh stadium looks? 😍 Also great cricket being played there. RCB's fielding was on point today - those boundary saves made all the difference!

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