Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is looking to be one of the strongest teams in the ongoing IPL 2026, and Krunal Pandya is slowly becoming the new backbone of the franchise. Krunal Pandya is making a big impact in his own unique way, as reported by Dinesh Karthik.
The defending champions have continued their dominance in the ongoing IPL 2026, winning five out of the seven matches they have played so far in the tournament.
Krunal Pandya surprises Dinesh Karthik in IPL 2026
RCB are currently second in the table, and Krunal’s bowling efforts are one of the major reasons behind this dream run. Krunal has not been bowling like a normal spinner this season; Rather, he is trying new ideas and confusing the batsmen.
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Even though he is a finger spinner, he is bowling fast and mixing his pace cleverly. One thing that is attracting everyone’s attention is how Pandya is using short balls. Batsmen do not expect this kind of bowling from a spinner and this is making it difficult for them to deal with him.
Ahead of the DC match on April 27, RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik has noticed how well Krunal is thinking during matches. He is not just trying different deliveries for fun but is using them at the right time. This smart approach is helping RCB control the game in difficult situations.
The game will remember Krunal Pandya for a long time: RCB mentor
Karthik heaped praise on Pandya for redefining finger-spin bowling and said that he will be remembered for a long time because of his innovative variations and growing mastery, as he keeps trying new things and making life difficult for the batsmen in smart ways.
Dinesh Karthik said in an RCB release, “Krunal Pandya is a player the game will remember for a long time because he is doing something that hasn’t been done before. Pushing the boundaries of what ‘finger spinner’ means. He is bowling in a way that people couldn’t really understand a few years ago and he is becoming a pro at it.”
The former Indian cricketer further added, “He is using it very cleverly, very intelligently when the situation demands it, and he is using it as his strength to put pressure on the person he is bowling against. It is really quite interesting to see how he does that mentally as well. He is not someone who is doing it just because it feels good.”
Krunal Pandya is changing the landscape of finger spin bowling: Dinesh Karthik
RCB further mentioned that Krunal knows when to use his variations to create doubt in the mind of the batsman and most of the time, it works. He also called the all-rounder a “trendsetter” and said that he would be long remembered as both a person and a cricketer.
Karthik said, “Today if you see many spinners trying to bowl different balls, I think a lot of credit for this should go to Krunal Pandya.”
“He is definitely developing as an all-rounder with every passing day, be it with the ball or the bat, and it is just wonderful to see. So, a lot of credit should go to him. As I said, the IPL is changing the landscape of cricket; Krunal is changing the landscape of finger spin bowling.”
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