“Every Tough Situation Feels Smaller”: Krunal Pandya Reveals Mentality Behind IPL Pressure Success

Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya has revealed that some of the biggest performances of his IPL career have come from constantly reminding himself about the struggles he overcame before reaching the highest level of cricket.

Speaking on JioStar's Superstars, Krunal reflected on his journey from humble beginnings and explained how those memories continue to help him perform under pressure even today.

"In the 2017 IPL final, when we were 70 for 7, I was playing for Mumbai Indians. I have a habit of reminding myself where I come from and where I have reached. That reality check keeps me grounded," Krunal said on JioStar.

Krunal Pandya recalls crucial IPL final knock for Mumbai Indians

Krunal's unbeaten 47-run innings during the 2017 IPL final against Rising Pune Supergiant remains one of the defining knocks of his career.

The left-hander explained that his mindset during that innings was not about attacking recklessly but about surviving pressure and helping the team recover from collapse.

"It also reminds me that every tough situation on the field is nothing compared to the struggles I have already overcome. And that thought helped me play the knock of 47 runs in 38 balls," he said.

"It wasn't a flashy innings, but it was exactly what the team needed at that moment. I absorbed the pressure, rotated the strike, and made sure we didn't lose any more quick wickets."

"That knock helped us post a respectable total and eventually win the title."

RCB star says he uses the same mentality even now

Krunal revealed that the same self-reminder technique helped him during IPL 2025 as well when he delivered under pressure for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

"Last year, when I played for RCB in the final, I did the same thing. When I got the ball after the 6th or 7th over, I told myself, 'From where I have come and where I have reached, this is my moment,'" he explained.

"I keep reminding myself that I have worked very hard to be here. That's my way of staying in the game and getting the result I want."

Krunal Pandya continues to play major role in RCB's IPL 2026 campaign

Krunal has once again become one of RCB's most important utility players during IPL 2026, contributing with both bat and ball throughout their title defence campaign.

His recent match-winning performances, including a crucial knock against Mumbai Indians and important overs during middle phases, have reinforced his reputation as one of the league's most dependable pressure players.

The experienced all-rounder's comments also offered insight into the mental side of elite T20 cricket, where composure and perspective often become as important as skill during crunch moments.