IPL 2025: Krunal Pandya credits Virat Kohli for match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals

Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya gave credit to Virat Kohli after they secured a six-wicket win against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi in the ongoing IPL 2025 on Sunday. In the run-chase of 163, RCB were reeling at 26-3 when Pandya joined Kohli in the middle amid the chaos.

However, confident Pandya scored a match-winning knock of 73 runs off 47 balls, whereas Kohli contributed 51 off 47 balls as the duo added 119 runs for the fourth wicket. 

The all-rounder gave credit to Kohli for giving him the confidence and backing him when he got off to a slow start.

“Virat’s energy is very infectious. It passes on to you also,” Krunal told IPLT20.com. “He was constantly backing me and pushing me. So I guess I’ll give a lot of credit to him also for my knock where he kept backing me.”

The left-hander could only manage 14 runs off the first 19 balls he faced but he was able to change gears at the right time. Pandya said he used his experience and didn’t give up.

“I think when I batted the first 20 balls, I got hit on the helmet also. But again, that attitude of not giving up and believing that you can’t give up and you’ll make a comeback. I guess with skill, mentally if you’re strong enough, eventually you’ll make it,” Krunal said.

“The sport we play, I’ve learned one thing in so many years, that there are more failures than good days. So I’ve learned a lot from that as well. You know, you should never give up and make sure that you keep getting better. So when you get an opportunity and it’s your day, you implement that into the match and win the match for your side.”

Speaking after the match, Orange Cap holder Virat Kohli also had a word of praise for Krunal.

“He was outstanding today with the bat,” Virat said of Krunal. “He can make that impact and we were waiting for him to kind of come into this tournament with the bat as well, and it was his day and he was absolutely brilliant.

“The feedback I kept getting from Krunal is, ‘You stay, I am going to take the chances.’ We have communicated beautifully as a team, as a batting unit; different people have put their hand up in different games and that’s the reason we have seven wins out of ten. Looking really good for us, hopefully we can carry the momentum.”

RCB will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on 9th May.