Krunal Pandya And Josh Hazlewood Reveal Secret Behind RCB’s First Home Victory
Key players discuss winning formula that delighted packed Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd
Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in writing made her pursue a career in content, in which she now has over five years of experience. Vidya writes for MomJunction and covers news for Cricketsweep.
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In the high-pressure environment of the TATA IPL, having ice in your veins can make all the difference between victory and defeat. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally gave their home fans something to cheer about as they secured their first victory at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium this season, with Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood playing pivotal roles in the win against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
The Instagram post shared by the official IPL account features a video of both players discussing what worked for them during the crucial match. The post was captioned “Ice in their veins 🧊” – a fitting description of the composure shown by these two experienced campaigners when the pressure was at its peak.
Hazlewood’s Match-winning Spell
Josh Hazlewood, who was named Player of the Match, delivered a superb bowling performance that changed the course of the game. In a separate post by IPL, it was mentioned that Hazlewood “Changed the game with his sharp skills 👌” and produced a “superb spell 👏.”
The Australian pacer’s disciplined line and length proved too difficult for Rajasthan’s batsmen to handle, as he consistently hit the right areas and picked up crucial wickets at important junctures of the match.
In the interview clip, Hazlewood explains how he adapted his bowling approach to the conditions at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is typically known as a batting-friendly venue. His ability to execute under pressure demonstrated exactly why RCB invested in his services for this IPL season.
Krunal Pandya’s Crucial Contribution
Krunal Pandya also played a decisive role in RCB’s victory. As highlighted in one of the previous posts by IPL, “Just when #RR were cruising along….Krunal Pandya breaks the momentum of the chase ☝️” when the equation was “9️⃣3️⃣ runs from 6️⃣0️⃣ deliveries.”
The all-rounder’s timely intervention halted Rajasthan’s progress when they seemed to be in control of the chase. His economical bowling and strategic variations helped RCB regain control of the match at a crucial stage.
In the featured interview, Pandya discusses his mindset during those tense moments and how he managed to maintain his composure to deliver when his team needed him most.
RCB Climb To Third Position
The victory was particularly sweet for RCB as it marked their first home win of the season. According to another IPL post, it was a “Terrific comeback with the ball in front of a packed Chinnaswamy crowd 🏟️” that helped RCB secure this important win.
The post further noted that with this victory, RCB has moved to “no.3️⃣ in the points table 📈,” significantly improving their playoff chances in this highly competitive IPL season.
The Match Highlights
The contest had several notable moments. Yashasvi Jaiswal was named the Curvv Super Striker of the Match for Rajasthan Royals, while Virat Kohli received the RuPay On-the-go 4s award for RCB.
Rajasthan had made a flying start to their chase, reaching 34/0 after just three overs and then accelerating to 72/2 after the powerplay. Young batsman Dhruv Jurel led a fightback for RR with some impressive hitting, as mentioned in an IPL post: “Dhruv Jurel leading #RR’s cause with a fightback 💪” when they needed “46 runs required from 24 deliveries.”
However, RCB’s bowlers, particularly Hazlewood and Pandya, held their nerve during the crucial death overs to secure the win for their team.
The Significance Of Home Support
The atmosphere at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was electric, with passionate RCB supporters finally witnessing a home victory to celebrate. Both Pandya and Hazlewood acknowledged the importance of the home crowd’s support in their post-match comments.
The Indian Premier League, now in its 17th season, continues to be one of the most watched cricket tournaments globally. Known for bringing together international stars and emerging Indian talent, the IPL has transformed cricket with its blend of entertainment and competitive play since its inception in 2008.
For RCB, a team that has built a massive fan following despite never winning an IPL trophy, this victory offers renewed hope for their campaign this season. With experienced players like Hazlewood and Pandya delivering under pressure, and the backing of their passionate home crowd, RCB will be looking to maintain this momentum as they push for a playoff spot.
The victory demonstrated perfectly why the IPL’s motto of “where talent meets opportunity” continues to resonate, as both established international stars and domestic players combined effectively to produce an exciting contest that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
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