IPL 2026: Krunal Pandya Knocks Out MI, Calls Kieron Pollard His Big Brother

Krunal Pandya's 73-run knock for RCB knocked Mumbai Indians out of IPL 2026. Following the victory in Raipur, an emotional Krunal reflected on his six-year tenure with MI and his deep bond with Kieron Pollard.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star all-rounder Krunal Pandya played a pivotal role in knocking Mumbai Indians (MI) out of the IPL 2026 playoff race. Krunal's match-winning knock of 73 runs proved too much for Mumbai Indians in Raipur, as RCB secured a thrilling 2-wicket victory. Following the match, Krunal Pandya expressed his deep emotional connection with the Mumbai Indians franchise and shared insights into his relationship with support staff member Kieron Pollard. He reminisced about his time as a member of the MI camp, highlighting the bond between Pollard and the Pandya brothers.

Emotional Bond with Pollard and Mumbai Indians

Krunal Pandya revealed that he spent the best six years of his career with Mumbai Indians. He hailed Kieron Pollard as the 'GOAT' (Greatest of All Time) of the T20 format and described him as an elder brother. According to Krunal, Pollard and the Pandya brothers were once the core pillars of the MI squad. He specifically recalled the 2021 IPL season, which marked the last time the Pandya brothers and Pollard played together for Mumbai Indians. Reflecting on these past moments, Krunal became visibly emotional while discussing his journey with his former franchise.

Match Highlights and Krunal's Stellar Performance

In the match, Mumbai Indians batted first and posted a total of 166 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In response, RCB chased down the target of 167 runs on the final ball of the innings, losing 8 wickets in the process. Krunal Pandya emerged as the most successful batsman for RCB, scoring 73 runs off just 46 deliveries. His explosive innings included 5 sixes and 4 boundaries. This score stands as Krunal's highest individual total in IPL 2026, scripted ironically against his former team.

Battling Physical Pain for Victory

During his match-winning performance against Mumbai, Krunal Pandya struggled with severe physical discomfort. After the game, he mentioned experiencing intense cramps that started in his calves and spread to his hips and back, while he admitted that while he doesn't usually bat for such long durations, he was determined to fight through the pain to help RCB chase down the challenging target. His resilience ultimately led to the victory that ended Mumbai Indians' campaign in the tournament.