Bengaluru: Krunal Pandya has admitted that the pressure of being defending champions in Indian Premier League 2026 is pushing him to perform better, stating that high-stakes situations bring out his best as a cricketer.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder, who played a pivotal role in the franchise’s maiden IPL title win in 2025, said that expectations and pressure are part and parcel of playing at the highest level.
‘Pressure is always there’, says Pandya
Speaking about the challenges of defending the title, Krunal Pandya said that pressure exists irrespective of a team’s status but becomes more pronounced when expectations are high.
“It’s a very good place to be, knowing that we are defending champions. Pressure is always there when you play at the highest level,” he said.
Pandya emphasised that he thrives under pressure and uses it as motivation to deliver strong performances in crucial moments.
“Whenever there is extra pressure or a need to perform, that gets me going as an individual. At the end of the day, it’s just a game, and you must approach it the same way,” he added.
Key role in RCB’s historic IPL 2025 win
Krunal Pandya was one of the standout performers in RCB’s title-winning campaign in Indian Premier League 2025. He scored 109 runs and picked up 17 wickets during the season.
His match-winning spell of 2 for 17 in the final earned him the Player of the Match award and helped RCB clinch their first-ever IPL trophy.
With that performance, Pandya also achieved a unique milestone, becoming the first player in IPL history to win Player of the Match awards in two separate finals — in 2017 and 2025.
RCB eye playoffs in IPL 2026
Currently placed third on the points table, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are aiming to strengthen their playoff chances in IPL 2026. The team is set to face Lucknow Super Giants at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium.
With the tournament entering a crucial phase, experienced players like Krunal Pandya are expected to play a key role in guiding the team through pressure situations.
Experience and mindset key to performance
Having played at the top level for nearly a decade, Pandya highlighted the importance of experience and staying composed in high-pressure games. He said that as a senior player, he tries to keep things simple and share his learnings with teammates.
“At the end of the day, it’s about keeping things simple, no matter what the situation is,” he noted.
In the ongoing season, Pandya has taken nine wickets in as many matches, maintaining an average of 26.55 and an economy rate of 8.85. He has also contributed 40 runs with the bat.
Preparation shaped by life lessons
Krunal Pandya also spoke about how his upbringing and life experiences have influenced his approach to the game. He said that coming from a humble background has helped him develop resilience and mental strength.
“Every cricketer wants to do well when they step on the field. But when the stakes are high and things are not going your way, that’s when something special comes out,” he said.
He added that his preparation is focused on handling the toughest scenarios rather than expecting easy games.
“I prepare myself for situations where everything is stacked against me and then see how I can still perform,” Pandya explained.
Conclusion
Krunal Pandya’s remarks underline the mindset required to succeed at the highest level of cricket, especially when carrying the tag of defending champions. While pressure remains constant, his ability to channel it into performance could prove vital for RCB’s campaign this season.
As the race to the playoffs intensifies, all eyes will be on how the experienced all-rounder continues to deliver in crunch situations.
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