IPL 2026: SRH’s bowling attack has further weakened with star fast bowler out of action for the season

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling stock has further depleted, with fast bowler Brydon Carse ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. SRH, who already have a weak fast bowling attack due to the unavailability of captain Pat Cummins, received a further blow by the development on Tuesday, April 14.

Kars suffers hand injury ahead of SRH IPL Opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 28. After this he has not been able to recover from the injury. He was expected to be one of the first names on the teamsheet this season, especially in the absence of Cummins.

The Indian Cricket Board announced the development through an official press release, stating that SRH have signed Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka As a replacement.

“Left-arm medium pacer Dilshan Madushanka has represented Sri Lanka in 1 Test, 28 ODIs and 19 T20Is and has 70 wickets to his name in international cricket. He will join SRH for Rs 75 lakh,” the statement said.

Dilshan Madushanka in action (Photo Reuters)

The Sri Lankan bowler was previously a part of Mumbai Indians in the IPL and has experience of operating in Indian conditions.

Meanwhile, SRH captain Cummins, who is currently in Australia for fitness tests, Expected to return to India on April 17. Cummins, who is also the Australia captain, will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday and if he passes it, there are chances that he could return to action for SRH.

The Australian player has been battling a back injury since last July, which forced him out of the T20 World Cup. His only appearance since then has been in the Ashes Test in December. Given his vital role in the pace attack and leadership duties, his prolonged absence has been a matter of concern for both the national team and the franchise.

According to Cricbuzz report, Cummins is likely to pass the fitness test and get NOC from Cricket Australia.

“Australia captain Cummins will undergo a fitness test at home on Wednesday and if he passes it, there is an element of optimism in the franchise. There is a possibility that he could start playing for them. Cummins is expected to return to Hyderabad on April 17. SRH will play their next match on Friday, April 18 at home,” the report said.

SRH’s next match will be played against CSK on 18 April.

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April 14, 2026 19:10 IST

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Shane Warne: ‘I blame the COVID vaccine’: Shane Warne’s son makes shocking claim over father’s death cricket news

'I blame COVID vaccine': Shane Warne's son makes shocking claim on father's death
Four years after Shane Warne’s sudden death, his son Jackson Warne has acknowledged underlying health issues, suggesting that the COVID-19 vaccines may have contributed. Speaking on a podcast, he recalled his initial anger and belief that external pressures led to multiple overdoses, and revisited the circumstances surrounding the spin legend’s demise.

four years after his sudden passing shane warneThe latest comments by his son Jackson Warne have reignited the discussion over the circumstances of the spin legend’s death. Warne, who died of a heart attack at the age of 52 in Thailand in 2022, shocked the cricket world with his unexpected demise. Speaking on the ‘2 Worlds Collide’ podcast, Jackson shared his belief that the COVID-19 vaccination may have played a role, while also acknowledging that his father had underlying health concerns. Jackson said, “I definitely think it (the COVID vaccine) was involved. I don’t think it’s controversial to say that anymore. Even though dad had underlying health issues, I think it brought it to the surface and that’s something I’ve always struggled with.” He also told his immediate reaction after hearing the news of Warne’s demise. “My first impression, as soon as I hung up the phone (after getting the news of Warne’s death), I immediately blamed the government. I immediately blamed COVID and the vaccine.” Jackson acknowledged that he considered expressing these views publicly during the memorial service but ultimately decided not to do so. Jackson said, “It was probably wise not to, if I had done that I would have been in a very different situation. But that’s how I felt.” Reflecting further, he claimed that his father had taken several vaccine doses despite his reluctance, suggesting that external pressures influenced the decision. “Yes, a lot of people were dying of heart attacks earlier. But dad was fine, I think he might have got three or four (vaccine doses), he didn’t want to take them, he was forced to take them for work. He was forced to take them like everyone else,” he insisted. Jackson also explained how he deals with these thoughts now. He said, “…I try not to think about it too much because it creates anger. That anger is not good for anyone.” Giving an insight into Warne’s lifestyle, he described his father as being in relatively good shape physically and mentally, despite some famous habits. “Dad, at that time, was healthy, he was happy. In no time he looked his best. Yes, he smoked and drank, but many people in their 80s and 90s still smoke and drink a lot more than their fathers,” he said. Warne tested positive for COVID-19 a few months before his death while attending The Hundred in England in 2021. However, he had no widely known serious medical conditions at the time, making his sudden demise even more shocking.

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CSK vs KKR IPL 2026 Preview: Predicted XI, Livestreaming, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast

Timing is everything in cricket, and the schedule-makers have created a poetic backdrop for Tuesday’s clash in Chepauk. As the city of Chennai celebrates the Tamil New Year (Puthandu), guests stand at the doorstep of Kolkata Knight Riders Poila Baisakh. But for one of these powerhouse franchises, the festivities are sure to end with a sporting hangover.

While the yellow-clad faithful hope that the New Year will bring a change in fortunes for Chennai Super Kings, KKR are risking their celebrations only to suffer the sting of defeat on Wednesday morning. With the stands packed and the stakes high, only one side will bring the festive spirit to the night.

Kolkata Knight Riders have been a reliable team in this edition of the Indian Premier League. He has played cricket of a level which belongs to this world. And his fans believe that he can be unstoppable on most days.

KKR has played four matches this season and has not won a single match yet. They might have lost 4 out of 4, Had the rain not disrupted the Eden Gardens? Against last year’s finalists Punjab Kings.

Will KKR get their first win of the season? (PTI photo)

The 2024 winners have suffered a steep decline since winning their third title, which they will be desperate to stop when they face Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, April 14.

If KKR is reliable and stoppable, CSK is also not far from it. Major changes to the team saw them languish at the bottom of the table last season. Topic continued at the beginning IPL Even in 2026, unless their marquee signing Sanju Samson decided to play against Delhi Capitals in his last game.

Chennai achieved its first win of the season with Samson’s unbeaten inning of 115 runs in 56 balls. There is some hope among his fans. However, this win should not overshadow the fact that CSK are still 9th ​​in the IPL table, just one ahead of KKR.

This is essentially a fancy bottom of the table derby between two teams who have 8 IPL titles between them.

kkr team news

The main problem of Kolkata Knight Riders has been their middle overs batting. They start well in the powerplay and then falter in the middle overs when spin starts working. For long batting orders, they do not take enough risks to utilize their resources.

It is ridiculous that KKR is the only team to have appointed a specialist power coach (Andre Russell), who has had no impact on the middle-order batting.

KKR’s issue is highlighted by the fact that Sunil Narine, one of their most destructive batsmen in the title-winning season, has faced only 4 balls in the 4 matches played by KKR.

We have not seen Sunil Narine in his usual form with the bat so far this season. (PTI photo)

Bowling has been an issue this season too, but that is expected to continue as there is no word from the KKR camp on whether Varun Chakravarthy will play today or not.

A KKR spokesperson said before the game, “So, Varun is training. He has a bandage on his hand, but still he is training. He has been training for all the days before this match, so he is good.”

csk team news

This is perhaps the first season in many years when the spotlight is not on MS Dhoni. The great leader is still battling injury, and credit to CSK for ensuring that the story does not revolve around him again.

It is expected that Dhoni will not play in this match also Due to a calf strain, the onus is on Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson to take the team out of the bottom half of the table.

Dhoni is unlikely to be a part of CSK XI vs KKR. (PTI photo)

Sanju’s century will give him and his opening partner a significant boost in confidence, something that could prove vital in helping CSK strengthen themselves against KKR on home soil. At a venue like Chepauk, where pace can swing the game quickly, a confident start at the top can set the tone for the rest of the batting unit.

The aggressive intent shown in that innings will also reassure CSK fans that the team’s rebuild is moving in the right direction.

CSK vs KKR: Tactical battle

Kolkata Knight Riders almost crushed Lucknow Super Giants with 8 overs of spin in the last game. Sunil Narine bowled brilliantly at an economy of 3, while Anukul Roy maintained his hold at the Eden Gardens.

CSK have Shivam Dube and to some extent Dewald Brevis to counter the spin threat.

If Brewis plays, it will be his first game of the season, and the battle against Sunil Narine in Chepauk could be one of the most fascinating watches for the fans.

CSK vs KKR: Pitch Report

The match will be played on black soil surface. The surface is expected to yield a lot of runs and will hopefully provide opportunities to both batting units who have struggled so far this season.

The weather in Chennai will be fine and there is no hope of rain in the evening. There is an extreme heat warning in the southern part of India, so players are expected to keep themselves well hydrated.

CSK vs KKR: Predicted XI

CSK’s probable XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dubey, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmed, Khalil Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapaneet Singh.

Effect Sub: Akil Hossein.

KKR’s probable XI: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wicketkeeper), Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Navdeep Saini, Kartik Tyagi.

Impact Player: Vaibhav Arora.

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April 14, 2026 12:31 IST



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‘To be honest…’: Riyan Parag breaks silence after heavy defeat to SRH. cricket news

'To be honest...': Riyan Parag breaks silence after heavy defeat to SRH
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag He did not give much importance to his team’s huge defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad and called it just a small setback and urged his team to move forward rapidly. RR suffered a crushing defeat by 57 runs after being bowled out early while chasing the target of 217 runs. The damage was done in the very first over when debutant fast bowler Prafulla Hinz left Rajasthan in trouble by dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Luan-Dre Pretorius. Reflecting on the defeat, Parag admitted that the team had little time to dwell on emotions and acknowledged SRH’s strong performance with the ball. “To be honest, there is not much time to feel emotions. We lost two wickets in a row, which is thanks to their bowling.” We probably had some misunderstandings, but we’ll just take it as a mistake and not think too much about it.” Parag also assessed the pitch conditions and suggested that chasing might have been a better option, although he admitted that RR’s batting collapse had hurt them more than anything. “(On the pitch) it was really very good. I thought it could have been better to bowl second, maybe because we lost wickets. It was a bit sticky with the shine of the new ball. After the shine went off, I felt, it got a bit slow and we could have bowled second, but then again that’s a bad idea and we could have batted better.” The RR captain had special praise for SRH’s budding seamers, especially Prafulla Hinge and Saqib Hussain, who together demolished the batting line-up. “Of course, I think I haven’t seen him too much at the domestic level, but I think I played Shakib once when we played against Bihar versus Assam. But he bowled brilliantly. I felt how much pressure he was under with the home crowd supporting him and chanting his name and things like that. I thought the way he bowled the first four overs, first four, five overs, I thought was really beautiful.” Parag also explained his strategic call of not using Ravindra Jadeja with the ball, referring to the form Ishan Kishan as a major factor. “(On not bowling Jadeja) I thought we started really well. Maybe a few things could have been done here and there. Jaddu Bhai, I don’t know, just distributed the second decision. Ishan was batting really well, so I didn’t want to take that chance. Trusted Bishnoi in the overs. But the way the wicket was playing, I thought they were definitely worth 30 runs.” Despite being reduced to 9/5, RR showed some fight through a 118-run partnership between Donovan Ferreira and Jadeja, which eventually reached 159. Parag took this as a positive, highlighting the depth in the batting unit. “As far as batting is concerned, I think to score 160 with five wickets down for nine runs, it says a lot about the depth of our batting.” Looking ahead, the young captain remained optimistic, insisting that the team will soon regroup for their next game. “Of course, like I said, it’s just a setback and we will move on to Kolkata and do something better.”

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SRH vs RR: Riyan Parag on not using Ravindra Jadeja to bowl in Hyderabad

Ryan Parag admitted that his decision not to use Ravindra Jadeja with the ball was a “split second” decision as Rajasthan Royals lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad.

The call became a major talking point after Rajasthan allowed SRH to post 216 for 6, with Jadeja not bowling a single over despite conditions offering some assistance to the slower bowlers later in the innings.

IPL 2026, SRH vs RR: highlighted | Achievement:

Explaining the decision, Parag pointed to the match situation and the influence of Ishan Kishan, who was in dominant position during the middle overs.

“Jaddu bhai, I don’t know, it was just a split second decision. Ishan was batting really well, so I didn’t want to take that chance,” Parag said.

In the end, the move raised questions, especially when SRH took advantage of the lack of spin variety to post a strong total. Kishan’s 91 took over the innings after early wickets, helping the hosts recover and gain momentum.

However, Parag felt that the surface itself played a role in shaping his decisions. He said that the new ball helped the pitch a bit in the beginning, but it made the timing of bowling changes difficult.

While Jadeja didn’t get a chance with the ball, he made a strong contribution with the bat, scoring 45 and sharing a 118-run partnership with Donovan Ferreira to take over the innings after Rajasthan folded early.

Despite that recovery, Rajasthan suffered the biggest blow in batting. Chasing 217, they were out at 9 for 5 inside the first three overs, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The Royals managed to fight partly through the middle order, but the early damage proved too heavy to be reversed. The collapse also highlighted the impact of SRH’s young bowlers, who took advantage of the pressure right from the start.

Parag admitted that although some decisions could have been handled differently, the defeat was due to the overall implementation rather than a specific call.

Royals captain also gave credit to the opposition team To set the tone early for young seamersConsidering how well he handled the pressure in front of the home crowd.

For Rajasthan, in Parag’s view, after suffering a small setback in an otherwise strong campaign, the focus now turns to regrouping quickly.

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April 14, 2026 05:00 IST

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IPL 2026: Due to the brilliant performance of Prafulla Hinge, Ishan Kishan, Sunrisers defeated Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad. cricket news

IPL 2026: Due to the brilliant performance of Prafulla Hinge, Ishan Kishan, Sunrisers defeated Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad.

New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad dominated Rajasthan Royals In a one-sided IPL encounter, they won by 57 runs as debutant fast bowler Prafulla Hinge bowled a sensational spell that completely shattered the RR top order. SRH first scored a huge score and then bowled out RR with ease, making a strong comeback after the earlier defeat.

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Krunal Pandya on RCB’s performance and turning point

Hinge’s record breaking first over

The match turned in the very first over when Prafulla Hinz created history by taking three wickets in a single over – a first in the IPL. He dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a golden duck, then dismissed Dhruv Jurel and Luan-Dre Pretorius in quick succession, leaving Rajasthan Royals stunned early on.RR never recovered despite a struggling partnership of 118 runs between Donovan Ferreira (69) and Ravindra Jadeja (45), which only delayed the inevitable. Hinge finished with 4/34, while fellow debutant Saqib Hussain also impressed with 4/24. Together they destroyed the batting lineup and bowled out RR for 159 runs in 19 overs.

Kishan leads SRH’s batting

Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad started the match with a powerful batting performance by reaching 216/6. captain Ishan Kishan He scored a brilliant 91 runs in 44 balls, hitting boundaries freely and dominating the attack. He got good support from Heinrich Klaasen (40), while Travis Head was out cheaply after a slow start.Nitish Reddy (28*) and Salil Arora (24*) provided late fireworks to push SRH past 210. RR bowlers, including jofra archer And Riyan Parag tried to pull things back, but Kishan’s attack ensured a big score which sealed the win.In the end, SRH’s strong batting and Hinge’s dream debut combined to produce a brilliant all-round performance.

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SRH vs RR, IPL 2026: Debutant Prafulla Hinge, Ishan Kishan stun RR as SRH’s young bet hits jackpot

Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad (216/6 in 20 overs) beat Rajasthan Royals (159/10 in 19 overs) by 57 runs in Hyderabad on Monday. highlighted | Achievement:

Sunrisers Hyderabad finally get the spark they were looking for IPL 2026, and this came through a bold change in approach. Moving away from established names and favoring youth, Hyderabad’s gamble paid off strongly as they defeated Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Monday, April 13.

For a team that had struggled to find rhythm at the beginning of the season, this performance felt like a reset. The biggest concern in the match was SRH’s bowling. The experienced pair of Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel failed to make a consistent impact, forcing the management to turn to uncapped options Prafulla Hinge and Saqib Hussain.

It was a call that defined the game.

Hinge ignites SRH surge

The rhythm was set in the first over itself. Prafulla Hinge, making his IPL debut, created such magic that the match immediately tilted in favor of Hyderabad.

Rajasthan never recovered from the initial loss. Vaibhav Suryavanshi learned that with great power comes great responsibility, but that night he forgot it and had to pay the price. The opening wicket opened the door and the hinges came right off.

Soon after, Dhruv Jurel was out, followed by Luan Dray Pretorius as Hinge dismantled the top order in his very first over. Rajasthan was stunned at 1 run for 3 wickets and did not even have time to recover.

Hinge’s influence did not end here. He later returned to dismiss captain Riyan Parag, caught in the deep off a loose shot, and took 4 for 34. It was a performance based on discipline, clarity and composure rather than temperament, and one that immediately vindicated SRH’s decision to rely on youth.

Saqib Hussain sealed the deal

If Hinge broke the backbone of the innings, Saqib Hussain ensured there was no recovery.

He struck early to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal and then made a comeback at crucial moments to put Rajasthan under pressure. His ability to vary the pace and hit the right length proved effective on a surface that provided ample support.

There was a brief fightback from Donovan Ferreira, who responded with 69 off 44 balls to try and drag Rajasthan back into the contest. However, Shakib reduced that resistance with a well-executed off cutter that troubled the stumps at a crucial moment.

Once Ferreira fell, the innings quickly unraveled. Shakib cleaned up the lower order, which also included the wickets of Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 24.

Rajasthan were eventually all out for 159 in 19 overs, reflecting an early collapse as well as an inability to build a sustained partnership.

Ishan Kishan is leading

Earlier, it was Ishan Kishan who laid the foundation of SRH’s victory by playing a brilliant innings at the top.

Kishan took charge of the innings after early setbacks with the cheap dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. He balanced caution with aggression, ensuring stability before accelerating once set.

His innings of 91 off 44 balls, which included eight fours and six sixes, set the tone for SRH’s total. He was supported by Heinrich Klaasen, who added 40 runs, while Nitish Reddy and Salil Arora contributed 28 and 24 not out off 13 balls respectively.

SRH eventually scored 216 for 6 in 20 overs, which proved to be more than enough considering the way their bowlers responded.

Kishan’s influence extended beyond his batting. He remained actively involved as a leader, handing over the responsibility of wicketkeeping to Salil Arora and staying close to his bowlers throughout the innings. His approach helped create a positive environment that allowed the young attack to perform with confidence.

What’s next for both teams?

This victory can prove to be a turning point for Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a slow start, they now have a blueprint to rely on and support the youth with intent. They would like to maintain this momentum in their next match against Chennai Super Kings.

For Rajasthan Royals, it was a rare off day in an otherwise strong campaign. They will look to regroup quickly and overcome shortcomings as they prepare to face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next encounter.

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published by:

Amar Panikkar

Published on:

April 13, 2026 23:42 IST

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Ravindra Jadeja inspected Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s bat, asked ‘You have made this happen…’ – Watch | cricket news

Ravindra Jadeja inspected Vaibhav Suryavanshi's bat, asked 'Have you got this done...' - View
Ravindra Jadeja and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Image Credit: Rajasthan Royals)

New Delhi: What’s in Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s bat? Every time the 15-year-old takes the field, he attacks the bowlers – smashing them around the ground, reducing their economy rates, and giving his team explosive starts with fearless strokeplay.Ahead of Rajasthan Royals‘ The IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was a light-hearted moment which included Ravindra Jadeja And teenage feeling.Jadeja picked up Suryavanshi’s bat to take a closer look and while examining it he jokingly said, “But you have got this done… why have you got it like candy?”The SRH vs RR encounter promises to be a battle between two of the most explosive opening pairs of this season. On one side, Sunrisers Hyderabad has Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, while Rajasthan Royals have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryavanshi at the helm.The Hade-Abhishek pair is scoring at a fast pace of 13 runs per over, while the Jaiswal-Suryavanshi pair is not far behind at a pace of 12.5. However, leading the charts are Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, who have scored at an impressive rate of 13.91 runs per over.Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi is inching closer to a historic milestone. In just 22 matches and innings, he has scored 901 runs at an average of 42.90 and an impressive strike rate of 215.55, including three centuries and three fifties.The record for scoring the fastest 1,000 runs in men’s T20 is held by Brad Hodge and Shaun Marsh, with Hodge being the first player to reach this milestone.Suryavanshi also currently holds the Orange Cap, having scored 200 runs in four matches at an average of 50.00 and an incredible strike rate of 266.66, which included two fifties and 18 sixes.

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Ghanaian footballer Dominic Frimpong murdered on team bus after armed robbery attack

Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea, a professional football club, is in shock after winger Dominic Frimpong was shot dead during an armed robbery attack on the team bus, the Ghana Football Association said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Goaso Bibiani Road when the team was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Summertex in Samareboi town in southern Ghana. The Ghana Premier League is the top level of football in the West African country.

According to a club statement, armed men blocked the road and opened fire on the team bus, Reuters reports.

“On the way back from Samreboi to Berekum, our team bus was attacked by a group of armed robbers who blocked the road to prevent our passage,” the club said. “As the driver attempted to turn the bus back, masked men carrying guns and assault rifles began firing at our bus. The players and staff ran into nearby bushes to hide.”

The Ghana Football Association later confirmed that 20-year-old Frimpong died in the attack, and described his death as a major loss to football in the country.

“The GFA is deeply shocked and saddened by the sad news of the passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club,” the association said. “This tragic incident is a huge loss not only for the club but for Ghanaian football as a whole. Dominic was a promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game reflected the spirit of the league.”

The governing body said it would strengthen security arrangements for teams traveling for domestic competitions in response to the incident.

The attack has raised concerns over the safety of sports teams traveling by road in Ghana. In 2023, another club, Legon Cities, also reported an attack on their team bus after a match in Summertex, although no injuries were recorded.

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April 13, 2026 18:20 IST

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‘One Pandya had to win’: Krunal Pandya enjoys RCB’s win over MI at Wankhede | cricket news

'One Pandya had to win': Krunal Pandya enjoys RCB's win over MI at Wankhede
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Krunal Pandya appealed against Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. (PTI photo)

Mumbai: Royals Challengers Bangalore win by 18 runs Mumbai Indians It tasted a little sweeter at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday night Krunal Pandya. Enjoying a special encounter against his former franchise, the all-rounder, who unveiled his new hairstyle – Jamaican braids which fans said was probably inspired by England fast bowler Jofra Archer – enjoyed getting the better of his brother. hardik pandya. Enjoying the moment, which will probably give him bragging rights at home for a few days, Krunal quipped that it will always be a case of “a Pandya has to win”.

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How Justin Langer’s confidence helped Mukul Choudhary shine?

Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!In a high-scoring match, RCB scored a mammoth total of 240 runs for four wickets but restricted MI to 222 runs for four wickets. On a flat surface where there was nothing for the bowlers, Krunal took one for 26 in four overs and took the crucial wicket of India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was looking dangerous while batting on 33, before he swept the left-arm spinner to deep backward square leg. Krunal thus helped RCB derail MI’s innings in the middle overs, which proved to be decisive in the end. In a position he knows well, Krunal once again showed why he is a valuable asset for RCB.“Wankhede has always been close to my heart. I have played here for six years and was fortunate to win three trophies during that time,” Krunal said in the post-match press conference.“So it’s always special to come here, and as I said last year, ultimately the points were coming home. One Pandya had to win, and I think I was lucky in that,” he said.Since moving to RCB from Lucknow Supergiants in 2025, Krunal has become a reliable man in their setup. He played a key role in their title-winning campaign last season, taking 17 wickets @ 22.29 in 15 matches and contributing 109 runs @ 18.16 with the bat lower down the order. That run included a brilliant, match-changing effort of two wickets for 17 runs in four overs in the final against Punjab Kings. Krunal, named as the ‘Player of the Match’, turned the tables in RCB’s favor by taking the wickets of Prabhasmiran Singh and Josh Inglis, leaving Punjab Kings six runs behind while chasing 191. So far in IPL 2026, Krunal has taken five wickets at 23.60 with an economy rate of 9.07 in four matches for the defending champions. Pandya’s spell has helped RCB regain control and win the battle in the middle overs. More than the numbers, his ability to step up in big moments is what is most important. The 35-year-old Baroda captain is the only cricketer to win the Player of the Match award twice in an IPL final.‘Don’t plan ahead to throw a bouncer but want to be one step ahead of the batsmen’One ‘wonder weapon’ that Krunal has used successfully against batsmen is the bouncer – a delivery not usually associated with spinners. Krunal said that he uses deliveries according to his gut feeling and to stay one step ahead of the batsmen.“I never shy away from trying different and new things because with the Impact Player rule, earlier, you had No. 6 or 7 as all-rounders and the batting was quite different. But now at No. 8, pure batsmen (are coming) and apart from the skill set, young boys like Mukul (Choudhary) and Vaibhav (Suryavanshi) are consistently hitting with the first ball. As a bowler, I want to be one step ahead both skill-wise and mentally.“I am happy that it is coming out well and hopefully in this format, there are finger spinners who will stick and who can take something out of it and do well. Because (with a) flat track and eight batsmen, it has become very difficult for the finger spinners,” Krunal said.Often caught by surprise by the spinner bowling a short fast ball, the batsman leaves the ball alone. Krunal said that his bouncers are pre-planned, but spontaneous. He said, “I am someone who listens to my gut. I don’t plan in advance whether I will bowl the fourth or fifth or sixth ball (as a bouncer). There come days when I will bowl two bouncers one after the other and suddenly I will bowl the first ball and the sixth ball.”“But yes, it is kind of an inner feeling about when to bowl which ball and I am 100 per cent committed to it. People talk a lot about my bouncers and the balls which look quite different and fun… but I have always worked on the fundamentals of my bowling and if you see I am tall and I am able to get the bounce, I am also able to deceive the spin and flight and get the batsmen out. I don’t practice bowling bouncers much. It’s just that I actually bowl in the game,” he explained. ‘Kohli should be fine’ Meanwhile, Krunal said that Virat Kohli The batting superstar is expected to “recover” after missing the field for the second half of the game due to an ankle injury. “I haven’t spoken to the physio yet but I think he will be fine. I think there is nothing to worry about,” Krunal said.

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