NEW DELHI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya has opened up about the intense weight of being defending champions, stating that pressure is a privilege that brings out his best. Speaking after a tough loss to Lucknow, Pandya emphasized that while expectations are high, success comes from staying calm and focusing on the basics of the game.
With a decade of experience, Pandya believes senior players must guide younger teammates through the mental challenges of the IPL. “Pressure is always there at the highest level,” he noted, adding that he prepares himself specifically for these “tough situations” to ensure he can deliver when the team needs him most.
Pandya also discussed the evolving battle between bat and ball. He explained that as power-hitting reaches new heights, bowlers must innovate to survive. Surprisingly for a spinner, Pandya has integrated bouncers into his strategy. He revealed this wasn’t an accidental change but a psychological tactic designed to keep batters off-balance. By thinking like a batter himself, he tries to stay one step ahead of his opponents.
The interview followed a nail-biting match where RCB fell just nine runs short against the Lucknow Super Giants. Despite the defeat and a rare duck for star teammate Virat Kohli, Pandya remains optimistic. For him, the path back to the top involves ignoring the noise and treating every high-stakes moment as just another game of cricket.