All-rounder Krunal Pandya after playing a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s (RCB) thrilling 12-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI), said he “feel” for his brother Hardik Pandya.
Krunal, who helped Mumbai win three of their five IPL titles, was entrusted with bowling the final over in a raucous atmosphere and took three wickets to give Royal Challengers Bengaluru their first win in Wankhede Stadium in a decade. Krunal returned with excellent figures of 4 for 45.
The last over came down to 19 runs needed by Mumbai. But Krunal got Mitchell Santner caught in the deep first ball, and Deepak Chahar caught second ball on the boundary to an incredible double act between Phil Salt and Tim David. Two sixes were needed off the last two balls to force a super over but Naman Dhir’s huge swipe was taken on the fence, prompting Krunal’s huge roar of delight.
“The bond that we have, at the end of the day, we knew only one (Pandya) would win. But the love and affection we have for each other is very natural. He (Hardik) batted well,” Krunal told broadcasters at the post-match presentation.
“We won and I also wanted to win, he also wanted to win. I feel for him,” he said.
Krunal Pandya acknowledged that he had to dig deep into his decade-long experience to take his team home in the final over.
“The amount of games I have played in the last 10 years, whatever experience I had, it had to come in right. Sometimes, you want to commit but you know it is important to commit 100 per cent,” said Krunal.
“So the execution becomes much on your side. I was clear in a way where I wanted to commit fully to whatever ball I wanted to bowl,” he added.
RCB play their next game against the Delhi Capitals on April 10 in Bengaluru.
