'Clutch' Pandya! RCB fans scream and cheer for Krunal's stellar 50 on tricky wicket vs DC
What had Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans screaming was that Krunal Pandya reached his half-century before Virat Kohli. He smashed 4 sixes and 2 fours to score 56 off 40 balls - his 2nd 50 in IPL.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) managed to restrict Delhi Capitals (DC) to 162 in 20 overs, but it was known that tonight's game would be played on the tricky Arun Jaitley wicket. In the chase, RCB lost three quick wickets, with Virat Kohli trying to hold fort at the other end and the asking rate increasing.
However, he found an able partner in Krunal Pandya. The two started slow and went on to build a partnership of 99 runs in 73 balls. What had RCB fans screaming was that Krunal reached his half-century before Kohli. He smashed 4 sixes and 2 fours to score 56 off 40 balls. This marked his second 50-plus score in 116 IPL innings, with his first (86 runs) also coming against DC in 2016 at Vizag.
Fans react
Many on X (formerly known as Twitter) cheered for the all-rounder while simultaneously trolling DC bowlers - also because he was dropped by Abhishek Porel when he was at 54. This is Krunal's second 50 in the IPL, and fans pointed out that the spinner, unlike his younger brother Hardik Pandya, is not as well-known for his batting.
One fan said, "A 38-ball fifty for Krunal Pandya in a tough run chase. A star is reborn. Kudos to RCB for consistently trusting him."
A 38 ball fifty for Krunal Pandya here in a tough run chase. A star is reborn, Kudos to RCB for consistently trusting in him.
！ Cricket? Lover // ICT Fan Account (@CricCrazyV) April 27, 2025
Another added, "Krunal Pandya did exactly what was needed."
Krunal Pandya did exactly what was needed. ?
！ Pain.. (@Paincrickett) April 27, 2025
One wrote, "Krunal Pandya, man. Can't explain his contribution to RCB this season in words."
Krunal Pandya man, can't explain his contribution for RCB this season in words?
！ Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 27, 2025
Another commented, "Take a bow, Krunal 'CLUTCH' Pandya."
Take a bow, Krunal ＾CLUTCH￣ Pandya ???
！ Rohan. ? (@SarPeBeamer) April 27, 2025
One fan summed it up with, "If Krunal Pandya is winning a game with the bat against you, your bowling has been a joke!"
If Krunal Pandya is winning a game with the bat against you, your bowling has been a joke!
！ Souvik 45? (@SouvikPurkaya16) April 27, 2025
Teams
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul(w), Axar Patel(c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar
Impact Subs: Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Jake Fraser McGurk, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Subs: Devdutt Padikkal, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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