Virat Kohli’s Infectious Energy Fuels Krunal Pandya’s Match-Winning Knock Against DC
In a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya delivered a match-defining performance against Delhi Capitals (DC), crediting former RCB skipper Virat Kohli for inspiring him to turn the game around.
Pandya’s gritty 73 runs off 47 balls was a spectacle of resilience and calculated aggression, complemented by a crucial 119-run partnership with Kohli, who contributed a steady 51 off 47 balls on a challenging pitch. This partnership proved to be the backbone of RCB’s successful chase, steering them to a commanding position on the IPL points table.
Early in his innings, Pandya appeared out of sorts, managing just 17 runs off his first 21 balls. He faced intense pressure, ducking a fiery bouncer from Mitchell Starc and surviving a close call when a delivery from Dushmantha Chameera grazed his helmet. However, Pandya, promoted to bat at number five, found his rhythm at the right moment, smashing 56 runs in his last 26 balls to shift the momentum decisively in RCB’s favor.
Speaking to ipl20.com after the match, Pandya attributed his turnaround to Kohli’s relentless encouragement. ‘Virat Kohli’s energy is very infectious,’ he said. ‘It rubs off on you. He kept pushing me, backing me up when I was struggling. I owe a lot of credit to him for my knock today.’
Reflecting on the mental challenges of the game, Pandya added, ‘After those first 20 balls, I was hit on the helmet. But it’s about having the belief to not give up. More than skill, it was a mental battle. If you’re strong enough mentally, you’ll always make a comeback.’
Beyond his batting heroics, Pandya also made an impact with the ball, bowling a tight spell of 1 for 28 to stifle DC’s run rate. His all-round contribution was pivotal in RCB’s dominant display, reinforcing their status as one of the top teams in IPL 2023.
‘After playing this sport for so many years, I’ve realized there’s more failure than success,’ Pandya remarked. ‘The biggest lesson is to never give up, to keep improving. When your chance comes, you grab it and win matches for your team.’
With consistent performances in their last 10 games, RCB continues to build momentum. Pandya emphasized the team’s collective spirit, saying, ‘Somewhere down the line, every player has made a comeback. We’ve played consistent cricket, and we aim to keep this going.’
As RCB sits atop the points table, their next challenge awaits against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 3 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With just a short break before the high-octane clash, the team will look to carry forward their winning momentum with the same intensity and belief that Pandya showcased against DC.
In a season filled with dramatic turnarounds, Krunal Pandya’s journey in this match—from struggling to striking—epitomizes the spirit of IPL cricket. With Virat Kohli’s mentorship lighting the way, RCB’s campaign looks stronger than ever as they march toward the playoffs.