In IPL 2026, Krunal Pandya’s homecoming at Wankhede Stadium turned into a memorable night as his side, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), secured an impressive win over the Mumbai Indians (MI). The contest carried added emotion with Krunal facing his brother, Hardik Pandya, making it a much-anticipated sibling showdown.

RCB put up a commanding total of 241 on a batting-friendly surface, setting MI a daunting chase. While the pitch favoured the batters, Krunal made a significant impact with the ball, returning figures of 1 for 26 in his four overs. His disciplined spell through the middle overs played a crucial role in applying the brakes on MI’s scoring momentum.

Despite a strong fightback from MI, RCB held their nerve to seal an 18-run victory, with Krunal’s all-round contribution and composure under pressure proving decisive. Speaking after the match, he light-heartedly summed up the family duel, saying that “one Pandya had to win,” adding a personal and emotional touch to an already thrilling encounter.