Glad I was able to contribute when team needed me the most, says RCB’s Krunal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a thrilling last-ball victory against Mumbai Indians in the TATA IPL, with Krunal Pandya producing a match-winning 73 off 46 balls under pressure, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with figures of 4 for 23 to help RCB secure two crucial points and move to the top of the points table. The spell also saw Bhuvneshwar move to the top of the Purple Cap standings with 21 wickets this season.

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Batting first, Mumbai Indians were rocked by Bhuvneswar Kumar. The mediumpacer got rid of Ryan Rickelton (2), Rohit Sharma (22) and Suryakumar Yadav (0) to reduce Mumbai Indians to three for 28. Naman Dhir (47) and Tilak Varma (57) helped their side reach 166 for seven. Bhuvneshwar also took the wicket of Tilak to finish with four wickets.

In reply, Royal Challengers Bengaluru too were in a bad way losing three for 39 but Jacob Bethell (27) and Krunal Pandya added 55 for the fourth wicket. Thereafter, Krunal shouldered the responsibility to taking his side home. However, he fell at 149 and the match was delicately poised.

RCB win dramatic final over

Bengaluru needed 15 runs in the last over which was one of the most dramatic ones. Raj Bawa bowled the last over. He gave away a wide and a no-ball and the resultant free hit fetched only one run. Bengaluru got three runs of the first ball. Bawa then bowled a wide and conceded two runs. The legitimate second ball was a dot and Bawa got rid of Romario Shepherd (4) off the next ball.

RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam celebrate their victory over Mumbai Indians. Pics: BCCI

Bawa had conceded five runs off three balls with a wicket to boot. In strode the bowling hero Bhuvneshwar and he was greeted with a bouncer which was ruled a wide.

Bhuvneshwar then creamed the legitimate fourth ball over cover for a six to bring down the required runs to three. Bhuvneshwar (7 not out with a six) than got a single off the fifth ball and Bengaluru were left needing two off the last ball.

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Rasikh Salam (3 not out) then punched the Bawa delivery towards long-on and the batters scampered for two to the delight of the Bengalureans.

Reflecting on the win, Krunal said: “It’s still very fresh, but I am really happy that I was able to contribute, especially when the team needed it the most. At a crucial stage of the tournament, these two points were very important for us.”

It’s still very fresh, but I am really happy that I was able to contribute, especially when the team needed it the most. At a crucial stage of the tournament, these two points were very important for us, says Krunal Pandya

He also credited Bethell for the partnership of 55 run off 42 balls, which shifted momentum back in RCB’s favour. “Beth and I had a chat when I walked in. A lot of credit goes to him as well because he stuck on to it and we built a very crucial partnership on a tricky wicket,” he said.

Bhuvneshwar delivers a match-winning spell

Bhuvneshwar once again led RCB’s bowling effort brilliantly on a two-paced surface, delivering a match-winning spell and continuing his strong season with the ball. Reflecting on his performance, the bowler said: “The thing which keeps me going is discipline. Motivation is a very overrated word for me. Credit also goes to the physios and trainers who help me stay in shape throughout the year.”

Speaking about adapting to the conditions, he added: “It’s all about reading the conditions as quickly as possible. Today there was help in the wicket when you hit the right lengths and thankfully things worked in our favour.”

Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrates the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav

Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar praised the experienced players in the side for stepping up under pressure and highlighted the impact made by both Krunal and Bhuvneshwar. “I think KP is the man who has done it for the team. Players with experience step up on the big stage when the team is under pressure,” Patidar said.

On Bhuvneshwar’s spell, Patidar said: “The way Bhuvi controlled the ball on a two-paced wicket with variable bounce was unbelievable. It was very difficult to play him today.”

The victory further strengthens RCB’s playoff push as the side continues to build momentum in the closing stages of the league phase.