Krunal Pandya's Knock Tops RCB in the Points Table
Krunal Pandya smashed an unbeaten 73* and took a crucial wicket to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, taking RCB to the top of the IPL 2025 points table.
kowshik Reddy
The clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) became the most exciting match of IPL 2025, in which Krunal Pandya did an incredible all-round job to help RCB win by six wickets. The match, played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, had importance for both teams, but it was the composure and brilliance of Krunal that made the difference.
Match Summary
- The Delhi Capitals had set a low target of 162 runs for 8 wickets in their respective 20 overs.
- The total was chased by RCB, who reached 165 runs for the loss of four wickets in 18.3 overs.
Walking in with RCB wobbling at 26 for 3, Pandya attempted a measured yet aggressive knock. He clubbed the not out 73 runs off 47 balls, with five fours and four sixes. His partnership of 119 runs with Virat Kohli was the crux of the RCB chase, stabilizing the innings after a very slow start.
With the ball, Krunal was just as effective, taking a very vital wicket and giving away only 28 runs in 4 overs. His dismissal of Faf du Plessis swung momentum in favour of RCB in the early parts of the match.
Enjoyed out there with the bat but more importantly, glad the result went our way! We’ll carry this momentum ❤️???? @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/YGi6VffTqa — Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) April 28, 2025
Praise and Reactions
Grateful for having the escape route supplied by Krunal's tactical awareness and experience, RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat remarked that Krunal tends to absorb pressure and counter-attack when under pressure. Another cricketing high-profile figure, Anil Kumble, lauded Krunal for his cricketing sense, particularly regarding awareness of match situations and building an innings under pressure.
Krunal opined after the match that it had been Kohli who had backed him during his slow start. He explained how Kohli’s encouraging talk from the other end had helped him stay calm and finally get into the groove.
Impact on the Tournament
The win placed RCB at the top of the IPL 2025 points table, with seven wins in ten matches. For a brilliant all-round show, Krunal Pandya was rightly declared Player of the Match. His game will assume extra significance for RCB if they are to win their first-ever IPL title this season.
