Krunal Pandya indicates two important moments that helped RCB in the first domestic win of IPL 2025

After the Royal Challengers, Bangalore (RCB) won the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at his home site of M Chinnaswamy Stadium, breaking the duck of his three-match home, team’s veteran all-rounder Krunal Pandya spoke on two small things, which he felt that he realized that he played a significant role in the team’s victory. The valuable half-century with Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikal and Josh Hazelwood and Yash Dayal are coming to the clutch during the final two overs, defending 18 remaining runs of the target of 206 in the last two overs, RCB broke the three-match defeat at the house, which was involved in a nail-khele in a nail-teeing.

Speaking in the dressing room, according to a video posted by RCB’s X handle, Krunal also credited the measuring knock of 26 in Phil Salat’s 23 balls, including four borders. The knock came at a strike rate of over 113, and fans saw a more restrained version of salt. It did not go on a garbage as he pressed a 61 -run stand with Virat Kohli in 6.4 overs.

“Sometimes it happens that you always highlight the performance that is quite clear and visible, but what I have felt to get 6 overs, 56 runs in Powerplay, although we are always used to see Namkeen (salt), which scoring at a strike rate of 180-200, but to stitch that partnership at that stage again that I was looking at the platform that I have seen that 24 (26). It was very cruel to see. But again those small things matter to me, “said Krunal.

In addition, Krunal highlighted another significant contribution from England all -rounder Jacob Bethel, playing as a substitute fielder. In the ninth over, when RR crossed the 100 -run mark and was motoring together, he stopped Nitish Rana from hitting one limit, saving two runs to his side with an incredible dive.

He said, “Jacob is coming out again and fielding and diving, saving two runs, you know (Team Claps),” he said.

Team’s batting coach and patron, Dinesh Karthik, also praised the salt for his batting attempt, saying, “Salt was very happy with the way he was played today. He knows his role, he knows that some shots cannot be played in this site initially, so he adapted himself beautifully and that is what I gave them a lot of satisfaction today.”

“It is one thing that to play a lot of shots, one thing needs to adopt whatever is necessary on the pitch of that day. They felt that there are some things that they need to do, they followed it beautifully, and the shots they played, they all want to play that shot, so he knows the commitment for him and believes that he is also appreciating that he praises.”

Coming into the match, RR opted to bowl first after winning the toss. A 61 -run stand between Phil salt (26 in 23 balls, with four borders) and Virat shut down things for RCB. Later, after a 95 -run stand between Virat, who earned 70 in 42 balls, with eight fours and two sixes and Devdutt Padikkal (with 50, four borders and three sixes in 27 balls). Later, despite some quick wickets, Tim David (23*in 15 balls, two fours and one with six) and Jitesh Sharma (20*in 10 balls, with four boundaries) to 205/5 from 205/5 were operated from 205/5.

Sandeep Sharma (2/45) was the top bowler for RR, while Joffra Archer also gave an impressive four-over spell of 1/33.

During the run-chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal (49 in 19 balls with 49, seven fours and three sixes) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (16 in 10 balls, with two sixes) put a quickfire on a 52-rorn stand, put RCB under pressure quickly. Later, Nitish Rana (28 in 22 balls, with three fours and a six), skipper Ryan parag (22 in 10 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Dhruv Jurlel (47 in 34 balls with 47, three fours and three sixes), with five runs in the equation with five runs with five runs in the last two overs. However, Krunal Pandya (2/31) removed Parag and Rana on time, while Josh Hazelwood (4/33) and Yash Dayal (1/33) produced a clutch performance at the death stage, leading to RCB 11 runs.

The RCB is third in the points table, with six wins and three defeats, give them 12 points. RR ranks eighth with two wins and seven defeats. He has faced his fifth gradual disadvantage.

Hazelwood was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his breathtaking four wickets.

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