Krunal Pandya
Credits: BCCI

Mumbai Indians (MI) had their back against the wall when Andrew Tye castled Hardik Pandya on the third ball of the seventeenth over. The scoreboard was reading 120 for four which meant Mumbai needed 55 off just 27 balls to stay alive in the tournament.

Hardik was looking good during his short stay and had raced away to 23 off just 10 before being sent back by Tye. The way Mumbai had performed in the previous games of this season so far, it looked like they would go on to lose another cliffhanger.

But in the end, the defending champions reached home with utmost ease. And the credit for the same should be given to another Pandya – Krunal.

The senior of the two Pandya brothers took the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) attack to the cleaners right from the word go, thus easing the pressure off skipper Rohit Sharma.

The left-handed batsman ended with a 12-ball 31 to take Mumbai home with an over remaining. Rohit, on the other hand, remained unbeaten on 24 off 15 as Mumbai registered just their third win in the ninth game.

IPL 2018: Krunal Pandya Speaks on Competition With Brother Hardik Pandya
Credits: BCCI

Speaking after the win, Krunal Pandya  spoke on the competition between him and his younger brother and how he was motivated to take the team home.

Quick Read: IPL 2018: 35th Match, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore -Weather Forecast

Not at all (when asked about family competitiveness). When he (Hardik) is playing I feel the pressure. When I am playing, he feels pressure outside. That brotherly bond is there. We have been in winning positions before in the last few games and finally, we have won today. Feels good that I contributed with the bat. Last game against RCB, I was feeling upset that I didn’t help the team cross the finish line. I was more motivated today,” he said.

IPL 2018: Krunal Pandya Speaks on Competition With Brother Hardik Pandya
Credits: BCCI

“Anything is chaseable here because the ground is small. As a batsman, you get that extra confidence because even the mishits go over the ropes. The chat with Rohit was simple, he was also striking the ball well. I was keeping a solid base and it paid off,” he added.

Read More  Steve Smith joins forces to slam Hardik Pandya for the underuse of Jasprit Bumrah

An avid cricket lover, I just love this game more than anything. Writing about cricket keeps me closer to the game.