The IPL 2025 season started on March 22, 2025, with an explosive match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The opening match of this sets the tone for a crackling campaign, and Krunal Pandya‘s bowling performance came out as a defining factor in RCB’s 7-wicket victory with 22 balls remaining.
Match Overview and Initial Dynamics
KKR, batting first, made a strong start, with captain Ajinkya Rahane at the helm of an aggressive charge. His 56 in 31 balls at a high strike rate hinted that KKR is well on course to set a challengeable total for the day, which might go beyond 200 runs considering the Eden Gardens pitch is known for scoring runs. Initially, the RCB bowling attack was on the back foot, as KKR reached a run score of 109/2 by 10 overs.
Krunal Pandya’s Entry and Turning Point
RCB’s left-arm orthodox spinner, Krunal Pandya was introduced into the attack in the 11th over. Krunal, known for his guile and variations, made an instant impact. His first wicket was a big one: Rahane, on 56, went for a big shot off a slow one, but got himself out, trapped at deep midwicket, KKR were now 109/3. This dismissal, changed the entire course of the match, the crowd gasped at how it took such a turn.
Krunal, in his next the 12th over, got rid of Venkatesh Iyer. With a delivery of a quick length ball at 101 kph catching Iyer by surprise, he played on, and the ball shook the stumps to dismiss him (Score: 125/4). However bouncer that resulted in a helmet call, so it’s clear that the dangerous slow bowler can change it up as well, providing more purely unexpected spinners with one I’ve never thought Krunal could ever challenge.
The résistance came in the 15th over when Krunal bowled around the wicket to Rinku Singh, one of KKR’s dangerous finishers. The delivery, with no turn, was dead straight, and Rinku, expecting spin, missed his pull, the ball crashing into the stumps (Score: 145/5).
Effective spell 🫡
Krunal Pandya leads RCB’s charge with 3/29 👏
🔽 Watch | #TATAIPL | #KKRvRCB | @krunalpandya24
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 22, 2025
Impact on the Game
The other Krunal spell was key in limiting KKR to a total of 174/8, which at one point seemed impossible post Ajinkya Rahane’s innings, where it seemed like 200 runs were on the cards. This performance fired up RCB’s batsmen, who led by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, ended the run chase comfortably, winning the match by 7 wickets.
Style and Tactical Nuances
Krunal’s bowling has a charm of varying speed and utilizing crease well. His around-the-wicket angle, to Rinku Singh, was a masterstroke, given the batter’s expectation of turn. His quicker deliveries and bouncers brought an element of surprise against Iyer, too, rolling past the batter’s outside edge and resulting in the batter’s dismissal.
Krunal Pandya was declared the Player of the Match for his all-round performance in the IPL 2025 opener. His spell not only snaffled the match in RCB’s favor but gave momentum to the ongoing campaign as well, and remind fans why he’s still sought after player in the league.