One Pandya had to win: Krunal feels for brother Hardik after last-over heroics vs MI-OxBig News Network

While the spotlight was on the battle between Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in the build-up to the marquee IPL 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday, it was the Pandya brothers who turned the contest into a familial affair. At the end of a high-scoring thriller, Krunal was being celebrated by his RCB teammates while Hardik looked dejected in the dugout, reflecting on yet another narrow defeat.

It was Krunal Pandya’s last-over heroics that sealed the deal for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Needing 19 runs in the final over, Mumbai Indians had the momentum with big-hitters Naman Dhir and Mitchell Santner at the crease. It appeared as though RCB had erred by handing the ball to Krunal, who had conceded 19 runs in his third over.

However, Krunal rose to the occasion, conceding just seven runs in the final over. He dismissed Naman Dhir with the very first ball, and then delivered what is fast becoming one of his trademark balls – a bouncer – to remove Deepak Chahar, claiming two wickets in two deliveries and deflating MI’s hopes of pulling off a miracle.

MI were reeling at 99 for 4 at the end of the 12th over. However, Tilak Varma’s 29-ball 46 and Hardik Pandya’s explosive 42 from just 16 deliveries kept them in the chase. Hardik struck two massive sixes off his brother Krunal in the 15th over but was dismissed in the 19th, before he had a chance to face him again.

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“The bond what we have, we knew there was only one Pandya that was supposed to win today. We knew that. The love and affection we have for each other is very natural. I know he batted well. But, we (RCB) won. I wanted to win. He also wanted to win, I know. I mean, I feel for him,” Krunal told the broadcasters.

Krunal and Hardik shared a warm embrace after the match and were later seen chatting away from their respective teams.

It was a memorable day for Krunal Pandya as he claimed his first four-wicket haul in the IPL – and that too, against his former franchise, Mumbai Indians, at his former home ground.

The left-arm spinner bowled a series of bouncers clocking over 115 kph – a variation he has tactfully deployed throughout IPL 2025.

Krunal spoke about how his extensive IPL experience helped him maintain composure in the final over of the gripping contest in Mumbai.

“When I came onto bowl, Santner was batting and leg side was shorter and the amount of games I played here in the last 10 years, at some point the experience had to come in. As a bowler, sometimes you want to commit and it is important to commit 100 percent and it helps in execution,” Krunal said.

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Praising his captain Rajat Patidar, the all-rounder added:

“Rajat has been terrific in the way he has started and he gives you the confidence and backs your game plan as well. He is very calm and does not complicate things,” he added.

RCB held their nerve to defend 221 and sealed a 12-run win – their third victory of the season. Patidar’s side have won all three of their matches away from home, losing only once in Bengaluru.

On the other hand, MI continue to struggle near the bottom of the table, with just one win from five matches.