IPL 2025: Krunal Pandya Reacts After RCB Defeats Brother Hardik Pandya’s MI In The Sibling Showdown

On a sweltering night at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, cricket fans witnessed one of the most emotionally charged and tactically intense games of IPL 2025. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended a 10-year drought at this venue with a thrilling 12-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), a win that could redefine their season. But beyond the result, it was a night that belonged to Krunal Pandya, the unlikely hero whose magical spell of bowling turned the tide in RCB’s favour — even as he sent his younger brother and MI skipper Hardik Pandya into yet another defeat.

This wasn’t just another cricket match. It was an emotional rollercoaster of sibling rivalry, high-stakes cricket, and a team rediscovering its belief under a new captain. Let’s break down this dramatic encounter, and why it may be remembered as one of the defining moments of IPL 2025.

RCB’s Batting Brilliance: Kohli-Patidar Foundation Fires 221

RCB’s decision to bat first proved prescient, as they launched a relentless assault on Mumbai’s bowling. The Wankhede pitch offered bounce and pace, and Virat Kohli wasted no time settling in. His fluent 67 off 39 balls, laced with trademark cover drives and controlled aggression, set the tone.

But the real story was the blossoming partnership between Kohli and his captain Rajat Patidar. The duo added 112 runs for the second wicket, displaying not just skill, but impeccable game awareness. Patidar, who scored a masterful 64 off 34 balls, showcased his growing maturity as a leader — rotating strike, punishing loose deliveries, and taking calculated risks.

The lower-middle order added the final flourish with Glenn Maxwell (24 off 11) and Dinesh Karthik (18 off 8) ensuring RCB finished at a towering 221/5 — a total that demanded MI chase at a brisk 11.05 runs per over.

MI’s Chase: Big Start, Sudden Stumbles

Chasing 222 on a batting-friendly pitch, MI began with intent. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav gave them the desired start, attacking the RCB pacers early. When Tilak Varma joined the party, MI looked on course at 97/2 in the 9th over. But as the innings progressed, cracks began to appear.

Enter Krunal Pandya.

Deployed earlier in the match to provide a control option, Krunal’s real impact was saved for the final act. With MI needing 19 runs off the last over — a scenario not uncommon in IPL history — the pendulum was delicately balanced.

Krunal’s Final Over Masterclass: 3 Wickets, Ice in His Veins

What unfolded in the final over was nothing short of dramatic. Krunal Pandya, not typically the go-to death overs bowler, was handed the ball. What followed was a display of courage, cricketing intelligence, and composure under fire:

Ball 1: Mitchell Santner — bowled
Ball 2: Deepak Chahar — caught at long-on
Ball 5: Naman Dhir — trapped LBW

Krunal ended with 4/45, single-handedly choking MI’s hopes. More than the numbers, it was the nerves of steel and the tactical brilliance he showcased — varying pace, using the angles, and reading the batters perfectly.

The Pandya Paradox: When Family Meets Fire

The post-match emotions were as intense as the on-field action. Krunal Pandya, speaking with poise at the presentation, opened up about the bittersweet feeling of defeating his brother, Hardik Pandya.

“The bond that we have, at the end of the day, we knew only one (Pandya) would win. The love and affection we have for each other is very natural. I feel for him. He batted well. We won, and I also wanted to win, he also wanted to win.”

The fact that Krunal’s brilliance came at the cost of his brother’s team adds a human layer to this cricketing contest. It wasn’t just another night under the lights; it was a family divided by team colours but united in mutual respect.

Krunal also offered insights into his bowling strategy:

“When Santner was batting, the leg-side was shorter. The amount of games I have played in the last ten years, whatever experience I had, it had to come in, right.”

It’s that very experience — hard-earned in domestic cricket and past IPL seasons — that made the difference on the night.

Captain Patidar Applauds: “The Way He Showed Courage Was Fantastic”

RCB captain Rajat Patidar couldn’t stop singing praises of Krunal in the post-match interview.

“It wasn’t easy, and the way that he bowled was amazing. The way he showed courage was fantastic.”

For a leader in just his debut season as IPL captain, Patidar’s measured assessment speaks volumes. His ability to trust Krunal with the final over shows how much faith this RCB unit places in experience and instinct — qualities Krunal exemplified.

From DY Patil to RCB: Krunal’s Journey to Redemption

Krunal Pandya’s presence at RCB wasn’t by accident. He was acquired for ₹5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction with a clear plan: bring in an experienced all-rounder who could both contribute and mentor. His prior form leading DY Patil Red to the final of the DY Patil T20 Cup showcased his readiness for high-pressure cricket.

In that tournament, Krunal not only excelled with both bat and ball but also emerged as a calming influence in the dugout. His leadership and game awareness caught the attention of RCB’s think tank — and now, it’s clear they made the right call.

Match Snapshot

Key Performer	Stat
Virat Kohli	67 (39)
Rajat Patidar	64 (34)
Krunal Pandya (RCB)	4/45 (4 overs)
Suryakumar Yadav	45 (25)
RCB’s total	221/5
MI’s final score	209/9

Contrasting Fortunes: RCB Rise, MI Struggle

With this win, RCB now has 3 wins in 4 games, catapulting them into the top half of the table. More importantly, this victory — their first at Wankhede in 10 years — breaks a psychological barrier. The team appears settled, unified, and full of belief.

In contrast, MI are spiralling. With 4 losses in 5 games, the pressure is piling on Hardik Pandya, whose captaincy is under scrutiny from both fans and pundits. The team has struggled to close games, and their bowling, especially in the powerplay and death overs, continues to leak runs.

What the Experts Are Saying

Harsha Bhogle, on commentary:
“This wasn’t just a win — this was RCB rewriting the script. And Krunal, wow. He’s not done yet.”
Sanjay Manjrekar, on analysis:
“The composure Krunal showed, especially against his brother’s team, is what wins you tight matches in the IPL.”
Aakash Chopra, on YouTube:
“Krunal was bought as a utility player. He’s now a match-winner. RCB’s auction strategy deserves praise.”

What This Means for RCB’s Title Dreams

This win is a massive psychological boost. It signals that RCB can win high-pressure away games, defend big totals, and bank on players not always in the limelight. With Kohli in form, Patidar leading smartly, and Krunal stepping up, the foundation for a deep playoff run is forming.

The famous chant, “Ee Sala Cup Namde” is once again echoing through the stands — but this time, backed by performances rather than blind hope.

Looking Ahead

RCB will next face the Rajasthan Royals at Chinnaswamy in what promises to be a cracker. With momentum on their side and their belief peaking, they’ll aim to consolidate their position at the top.

For MI, however, the road ahead is rocky. They’ll need to regroup fast and may consider some strategic changes, especially in their bowling setup and middle-order combinations.

Final Word: A Night of Poise, Passion, and Pandya

Cricket often delivers unforgettable stories — but rarely do they involve siblings standing on opposite sides of the battlefield, one triumphant, the other heartbroken. Krunal Pandya didn’t just win a match for RCB — he won respect, rewrote perceptions, and proved that even in a game of power hitters and flashy finishers, old-school grit and calm under pressure can still steal the show.

As fans left Wankhede, they didn’t just applaud a thrilling match — they acknowledged a turning point. For RCB. For Krunal. And perhaps, for IPL 2025.

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