Krunal Pandya: Mumbai's main man once, RCB's IPL final hero now
Krunal Pandya has always lived in the shadow of his younger brother, Hardik - the flamboyant star of Indian cricket. He's never been the headline act, never the poster boy. But those who've followed his journey closely know that Krunal is cut from a different cloth - one built on grit, resilience, and unshakable calm under pressure.On Tuesday night, Krunal quietly carved his name into the history books, becoming the first-ever player to win multiple Player of the Match awards in IPL finals as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs on Tuesday. No fuss, no flair - just a man rising to the occasion when it matters the most.advertisementThe first of those came in 2017, when he helped Mumbai Indians (MI) clinch their third title by defending a modest 129 against Rising Pune Supergiant - a final remembered for its tension and drama, and still the lowest total ever defended in an IPL summit clash.
Also Read: RCB crowned IPL champions, 18-year-long wait for Virat Kohli, Bengaluru endsEight years later, destiny brought him back to a similar stage. Different jersey, same story. This time, it was with RCB at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where high scores have become the norm. But Krunal was part of a team that defied the odds - defending the lowest total of the season at a venue where crossing 200 is almost expected. Only twice in seven games had teams failed to reach that mark while batting first, with Gujarat Titans' 196 for eight being the next lowest.Same old Krunal
Krunal Pandya finished with figures of 4-0-17-2 against PBKS. Courtesy: PTI
advertisementBack in 2017, Mumbai Indians were staring down the barrel at 79 for seven in 14.1 overs - their hopes of a third IPL title fading fast. Amid the chaos, one man stood tall. Krunal Pandya didn't play a flashy innings that lit up the scoreboard, but what he did was far more valuable. His calm 47 off 38 balls pulled MI from the wreckage, helping them post a fighting total. His 50-run partnership with Mitchell Johnson wasn't just about runs - it was about belief. It gave Mumbai a chance, and eventually, it gave them the title.Even though Krunal was the least economical of the bowlers that night, it didn't matter. His bat had done the talking when it mattered most, earning him the Player of the Match award. He was 27 then - still carving out his space, still proving he belonged.Eight years later, in 2025, he did it again - but this time, with the ball. His spell of 4-0-17-2 was the turning point in a high-pressure final. The scalp of Josh Inglis, who was threatening to take the game away with four towering sixes, broke Punjab's back. That one wicket silenced the momentum, and with it, PBKS's dreams.advertisementWithout that spell, RCB might still have been chasing their elusive first IPL crown. And more poignantly, Virat Kohli - the heart and soul of RCB for nearly two decades - might still have been waiting. Krunal made sure the wait was over.From rescuing his team with the bat in 2017 to breaking opposition hearts with the ball in 2025, Krunal Pandya has become the quiet guardian of IPL finals - proving once again that under pressure, he's a man you'd want on your side.Brave and smart
Krunal Pandya also won the Player of the Match award in the IPL 2017 final. Courtesy: PTI
Speaking after the match, Krunal revealed that he took a cue from RCB's own innings - recognising that the pitch demanded a change in pace. He adjusted accordingly, slowing things down to make life difficult for the batters. The result? It paid off in gold.'When we batted, we realised the slower you bowl the better it is. In this format, you need guts to do it. I just backed myself, thought I'll vary my pace and keep it on the slower side more often. My biggest strength has been to learn what the situation requires,' Krunal said.advertisementAlso Read: Virat Kohli in tears after RCB's 18-year-old wait for IPL title endsKrunal admitted that it wasn't just about sticking to a plan - it was about being brave. He knew he had to take risks, vary his pace, and trust his instincts to outfox the batters. It was that courage, he said, that made the difference on a night where every run - and every ball - counted.'I knew I had to be brave to get wickets tonight. Thought I'd do that by bowling slow. If you'd have bowled quick, it'd have been a good wicket. But if you mixed it up it was tougher,' Krunal added.In a sport obsessed with flashy numbers and bigger names, Krunal Pandya reminded everyone that heroes don't always wear capes - sometimes, they just show up when it matters the most.Tune InTrending Reel
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