Baroda Vs Mumbai: RCB Starboy Krunal Pandya Fails To Deliver In SMAT Semi-Final

Krunal Pandya was dismissed for 30 [Source: @CricTalk29/X.Com]

RCB showed a lot of faith in buying Krunal Pandya in the mega auction, but the all-rounder failed to put up a big score and departed after getting a solid start (30 off 24 balls) in the first semi-final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).

Playing against a strong Mumbai side, Krunal came into bat at number 3 and while he looked im good rhythm, but ultimately failed to deliver as the all-rounder was dismissed with a nothing delivery by Suryansh Shedge.

Put into bat on a solid batting surface at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Baroda lost the early wicket of Abhimanyusingh Rajput. This brought in Pandya at the crease and he started with a couple of boundaries.

However, the batting all-rounder wasn't at his fluent best and Shedge took advantage of it. The Mumbai bowler delivered a length ball outside the off and Krunal played away from the body as the outside-edge was taken safely by the keeper.

Following his brother's footsteps, Hardik Pandya was also dismissed cheaply as the Baroda all-rounder was knocked over for just 5 off 6 balls.

RCB show faith in Krunal Pandya

RCB needed an all-rounder to bat at number 7, and the team management went after Krunal Pandya, who was released by the Lucknow Super Giants.

The talented player was bought for INR 5.75 crore and it was one of the steal deals of the mega auction. Krunal can chip in with 4 overs in the middle phase and if needed, can also score quick-runs, something which the RCB side were missing last season in the lower order.

Even in SMAT 2024, he has shown his class, but today was not his day as the all-rounder couldn't capitalise on the good start.

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