RCB’s Title Heroes: ‘Exceptional’ Rasikh and ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal – RCB’s champion support
In the high-octane world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where individual brilliance often captures headlines, the true strength of a champion team frequently lies in the unwavering support of its lesser-sung heroes. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) triumphant IPL 2026 campaign perfectly exemplifies this, with two players, Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya, making monumental, yet often understated, contributions. While powerhouses like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood commanded much of the attention in RCB’s formidable bowling attack, it was the ‘Exceptional’ Rasikh and ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal who truly emerged as RCB’s champion support acts, proving indispensable to their title aspirations.
Rasikh Salam: The Quietly Effective Third Seamer
Rasikh Salam’s journey through the IPL 2026 season was a testament to consistent performance under pressure. Finishing with an impressive tally of 19 wickets, four more than seasoned campaigner Josh Hazlewood, Salam showcased his wicket-taking prowess at an economy rate of 9.45. His ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs, often at pivotal moments, became a hallmark of RCB’s bowling strategy.
A prime example of Salam’s impact came in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans (GT). Striking on the final delivery of his second over, he dismissed Nishant Sindhu for 20, effectively stifling GT’s burgeoning recovery efforts. Salam’s final figures of 3 for 27, which included a moment where he was on the cusp of a hat-trick, highlighted his temperament and skill on the grandest stage. Former cricketer Varun Aaron, commenting on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, lauded Salam’s season-long consistency. Aaron remarked that Salam had performed his role throughout the season in a remarkably quiet fashion, providing the team with much-needed stability as the third seamer. He emphasized Salam’s crucial wicket-taking ability, noting that achieving three wickets in the final at an economy rate under seven (6.75) was an outstanding feat by any measure.
Variations and Strategic Role
Salam featured in 12 of RCB’s 16 matches during the season, completing his full quota of four overs in eight of those appearances. Significantly, in all 12 instances, he was introduced into the attack as either the first or second change bowler, following the initial spells of Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood with the new, hard ball. Aaron underscored Salam’s success to his diverse range of variations. The former bowler described the role of the fourth seamer as often being more defensive, yet Salam excelled by not only containing but also taking wickets. His arsenal includes a proficient yorker, several effective slower balls, and the knuckle ball, all delivered with precision. Aaron highlighted that in the contemporary IPL landscape, being defensive in this manner almost equates to an offensive approach, given the constant pressure on bowlers.
Adding another layer of analysis, Tom Moody observed that Salam was a “beneficiary of three very, very good bowlers in front of him.” Beyond Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood, Jacob Duffy also opened the bowling for RCB on six occasions throughout the season. Moody explained that Salam was not tasked with “breaking the game open” because the spearheads had already created opportunities. Instead, Salam entered the fray and executed his role “exceptionally well” with his excellent changes of pace, making him a “perfect foil for the spearheads they’ve got at the top.” This strategic deployment allowed Salam to exploit situations created by the primary bowlers, maximizing his impact.
Krunal Pandya: The Unbelievable All-Round Package
If Rasikh Salam was the quiet assassin with the ball, Krunal Pandya was the undeniable all-round force, providing RCB with an “unbelievable package” of skills. His contributions extended far beyond his bowling figures of 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.41. Krunal also proved to be a vital asset with the bat, accumulating 226 runs at an impressive average of 37.66 and a striking strike rate of 145.80. This dual proficiency underscored his value to the team’s balance and strategic flexibility.
The IPL 2026 title marked Krunal’s fifth overall IPL trophy, a testament to his sustained excellence and experience in high-pressure tournaments. Having previously secured three titles with Mumbai Indians, he seamlessly integrated into RCB’s back-to-back championship wins, bringing a wealth of experience from his 158 IPL matches. Moody emphasized that teams are constantly “looking for packages like him,” highlighting his unique combination of being not just a bowler, but also a top-six batter. Moody further praised Krunal as a batter who performs exceptionally well under pressure, possessing a significant “bank of experience,” making him an truly “unbelievable package.”
Mental Acuity and Strategic Batting
Varun Aaron elaborated on Krunal’s unique bowling approach, noting that his ability to “do something different” with the ball, such as deploying bouncers effectively, made him stand out. Aaron described Krunal as “mentally very skilful,” possessing a profound understanding of which delivery to bowl to which batter, a critical aspect of T20 cricket. This keen cricketing intelligence allows him to anticipate where batters might try to attack him. Aaron concluded that Krunal is “very, very astute” in his game plans, a quality that extends to his batting as well.
Krunal’s batting strategies are equally impressive. Aaron pointed out that if Krunal perceives a bowler is targeting his body or bowling around the wicket, he frequently shuffles across to the off stump to create angles and opportunities. He is consistently “busy” at the crease, always “doing something different.” This dynamic approach, Aaron argued, is precisely what the modern game demands, particularly from spinners. In an era where batters aggressively target spinners, especially finger-spinners, Krunal’s innovative methods and mental fortitude have allowed him to thrive, making his overall impact “unbelievable.”
In conclusion, while the marquee players often hog the limelight, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 triumph was built on the solid foundation laid by its unsung heroes. The ‘Exceptional’ Rasikh and ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal exemplified the depth and strategic acumen of the RCB squad. Rasikh Salam’s consistent wicket-taking and varied bowling, coupled with Krunal Pandya’s all-round brilliance and seasoned leadership, provided the crucial support acts that transformed a strong team into a champion side. Their ability to deliver under pressure, adapt to game situations, and consistently contribute in both departments solidified their status as indispensable components of RCB’s historic victory.
