Krunal Pandya played a key role behind RCB’s victory in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, Royal Challengers coach Dinesh Karthik and star batsman Devdutt Padikkal almost forgot to mention his name as they credited the RCB stars for their excellent performance.
Royal Challengers Bangalore not only broke a major record in the history of IPL playoffs but also qualified to become one of the teams to qualify for the second consecutive IPL final. They are now in the race for their second title in two years.
Gujarat Titans will now have to play Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator. The team that wins that match will face Royal Challengers in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Dinesh Karthik praised Royal Challengers Bangalore for their ‘professional effort’.
RCB scored a record-breaking 254/5, the highest in IPL playoff history, before bowling out Gujarat Titans for 162 to seal a comfortable win. “It was a clinical effort, a professional effort,” Karthik told the players after the match.
The RCB mentor and batting coach praised the RCB batsmen for providing a great start and then helping maintain the momentum throughout the innings.
“The boys’ intent was excellent from the start. It started with Venky, Virat and Dev. Collectively, we kept the momentum going throughout,” he said. “In big matches, sometimes teams get on the backfoot under pressure. But we made sure we kept moving forward,” he said.
He also praised young captain Rajat Patidar for his brilliant inning of 93 runs off just 33 balls. Patidar stepped up and captained his team to its second final with the Challengers.
“Rajat’s innings was incredible. He led from the front in a pressure game and completely destroyed the bowlers,” Karthik said.
Krunal Pandya intervenes in Devdutt Padikkal’s dressing room speech; DK hits back
In the tremendous success of the current champion Royal Challengers, not only Rajat Patidar or Virat Kohli played excellent innings, but the role of Krunal Pandya was also important. Krunal Pandya made another important contribution with the bat and then took two wickets with the ball as well.
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Rajat’s brilliance, Bhuvi’s consistency, the team recognizing every small contribution, and keeping the focus on the bigger prize – here’s what we’re all getting behind for you… pic.twitter.com/6YvdJqddn8
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) 27 May 2026
When Devdutt Padikkal said that the team needs to remain focused in IPL also and he was about to end his speech. Krunal Pandya intervened and said, “Forgot my name, brother.” Karthik then replied, “Krunal, good work,” before adding a few more words to his speech.
Karthik then said, “Very good, Krunal. Nice batting effort,” causing the entire room, including veteran star Virat Kohli, to laugh out loud.
Dinesh Karthik expressed confidence in RCB players to win consecutive IPL titles.
Dinesh Karthik thanked Virat Kohli for his aggressive body language within the team. He praised the team for its positivity and the way it helped secure the game within the power play.
“Virat talked before the game about making sure our body language remained strong, and I thought it was as good as it has been in the last several weeks. We had the attitude to bowl them out and honestly we almost took the game on the power play.”
Dinesh Karthik showed great confidence in RCB’s abilities to continue this form in the final and win their second consecutive title in 2026 after their first win in 2025.
Karthik said, “In four days’ time, we have a big game, and I’m sure you all will be ready for it. But let’s make sure we have a lot of fun in the next few days. And when we hit the road, when we reach Ahmedabad, we will focus. But for now, well done, boys.”
“It’s a professional effort. And I think 1 vs 2 is always a big game in the playoffs. But we played like champions. And I think we can do that. On May 31, let’s look forward to it. And play the same brand of cricket.”
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