Mumbai Indians’ disappointing IPL 2025 campaign continued as they fell short in a thrilling chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite a late blitz from skipper Hardik Pandya, MI were undone by Krunal’s Heroic Masterstroke a sensational final over from his elder brother, Krunal Pandya.
Krunal Pandya’s Ice-Cold Final Over Krunal’s Heroic Masterstroke Ends MI Hopes
RCB piled on 221/5 after being asked to bat first, thanks to a dominant batting display led by Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Jitesh Sharma. While Kohli set the tone with a quick 44, Patidar added a fiery 62, and Jitesh’s late 40 powered the total past 220, the real turning point came later with Krunal’s Heroic Masterstroke shifting the momentum.
MI’s chase looked shaky from the start. Openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton got out after brief starts, while Will Jacks fell cheaply. Suryakumar Yadav tried to rebuild but fell for 28, leaving MI at 99/4 after 12 overs.
Then came the counterattack. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya turned the game on its head. Tilak began the onslaught with a six and two fours in the 13th over. Hardik followed up with three boundaries and two sixes in the next, reaching 42 off just 15 balls. The pair added 81 runs in under six overs.
With 41 needed off 18 balls, MI were in with a real chance. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Tilak (56) with a clever slower ball in the 18th. Hazlewood struck in the 19th, dismissing Hardik with a short ball, and MI were left needing 19 off the last over, setting the stage for Krunal’s Heroic Masterstroke
Krunal’s Heroic Masterstroke came as he stayed cool under pressure and bowled a dream final over — dismissing Santner and Chahar in the first two balls, then removing Naman Dhir on the fifth. MI could only manage 203/9, falling short by 18 runs.
As the camera panned to Hardik sitting stunned in the dugout, the emotional toll was visible. Krunal later said, He batted so well, and I feel for him. But when you’re on the field, you have to commit 100% to your team.
RCB finally ended their 10-year winless run at Wankhede. For MI and Hardik, it was another missed opportunity in a season that just isn’t going their way.
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