Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on Krunal Pandya after Royal Challengers Bengaluru bagged a thrilling two-wicket win against Mumbai Indians at Raipur on Sunday. 

Pandya scored a match-winning knock of 73 runs off 46 balls with the help of four fours and five sixes as he batted at the top of his game in the run chase of 167. The left-hander was promoted to number five in the batting order after RCB lost early wickets.

Pandya battled with cramps at the latter stages of his innings but hit some crucial shots to help his team get close to the target.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Krunal Pandya had come at 34-3. They have to chase 167, and your three top order batters got out consecutively. You know the ball is steamily. A delivery from Corbin Bosch bowled a seamed-in delivery and hit the batter, and Krunal managed tempo and controlled pressure. He kept RCB in the chase and got out after a cramp. He wins one or two games with the bat every year.”

Ashwin also praised Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned with impressive figures of 4-23 in his four overs. Furthermore, Kumar played a crucial cameo of 2-ball 7.

“Bhuvneshwar Kumar also played his role in this game. He is an honest man, works very hard, and always stays [focused] in the game. He’s talking with the ball.”

Ashwin hailed Kumar’s brilliant bowling in the Powerplay overs when he accounted for Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.

He concluded, “He swung a knuckleball to get Rohit Sharma nicked off and caught behind. Class ball. He nicked off Suryakumar Yadav. He was on three wickets [in the powerplay]. A salute to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Raipur on Wednesday.