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"If We Lose 3 Early Wickets...," Krunal Pandya Reveals After Match-Saving Knock

Arnav Chopra

Krunal Pandya (Source: @IPL/X.com)Krunal Pandya (Source: @IPL/X.com)

On the back of an outstanding overall performance from all-rounder Krunal Pandya, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) comfortably defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Krunal Pandya bowled a magnificent spell of 1/28 in his four overs, while he came back stronger with the bat and scored a blistering 73* off just 47 balls.

Krunal Pandya Reveals The Masterplan After His Performance

Left-handed all-rounder Krunal Pandya first delivered a magnificent spell to help RCB hold DC to just 162 by the end of the 20 overs. Whereas with the bat, he formed an outstanding 119-run partnership off just 84 deliveries alongside Virat Kohli for the fourth wicket, as RCB cruised to victory inside 19 overs, with a total of nine deliveries and six wickets to spare.

Krunal Pandya's 73* consisted of five fours and four sixes as he batted at a strike rate of 155.32, whereas the Royal Challengers were also powered by ex-skipper Virat Kohli's 47-ball 51. In the end, it was way too easy for Tim David, who played five deliveries for his 19*, where he helped RCB cross the line comfortably.

After the conclusion of the game, Krunal, who was awarded player of the match for his excellent effort, revealed the master plan that RCB went into this game with.

Pandya disclosed the plan that he would go into bat if they lost three early wickets, which they did, as Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar fell inside just four overs as they were three down for 26, and that's when Pandya came in to join Kohli at the crease where the duo went on and took the opposition bowlers one after another, forming a crucial partnership for the fourth wicket.

"My role was clear, if we lose 3 early wickets. I can go and stitch a partnership. With Jitesh and David can take down the bowling. Glad to fulfill my role, that was given to me."

Adding to this, Pandya also mentioned that with Tim David and Jitesh Sharma in the side, his job was a bit easier, considering both of them are good hitters in the death overs as they can go after the opposition right from the start, helping them cross the line if the match goes into the final overs of the game.

RCB Move To The Top Of The Table

After the conclusion of the 46th match of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are right at the top of the table with seven victories in 10 completed matches, having lost three as they now have 14 points and a run rate of +0.521.

On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals, who lost their third game of the season, have six wins in total from the nine games, where they have 12 points and a net run rate of +0.428. The RCB will be next up against Chennai Super Kings on 3rd May at their home ground at M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.