Rajat Patidar's Instagram tribute to Krunal Pandya highlights RCB's back-to-back IPL triumphs

Rajat Patidar's AURA post for Krunal Pandya (Image: Rajat Patidar/Instagram)

RCB's back-to-back IPL title triumph was built on complete team dominance, and Krunal Pandya once again proved why he remains one of the franchise's most valuable players. Following the historic campaign, captain Rajat Patidar made sure to acknowledge the all-rounder's contribution with a cool Instagram post featuring the caption. RCB won 11 matches during their title-winning run, including nine league-stage victories, Qualifier 1, and the final. It was a season defined by consistency and authority, with the Bengaluru-based franchise living up to Patidar's pre-season statement that they were not defending a title but chasing another one. Among the standout performers was Krunal Pandya, who continued his reputation as RCB's silent hero. The all-rounder contributed 226 runs and claimed 14 wickets, becoming the first player in franchise history to achieve the 200-run and 10-wicket double in a single IPL season. The championship victory also added another remarkable chapter to Krunal's IPL legacy. The 2026 triumph was his fifth IPL title overall and second with RCB, having previously won three championships with Mumbai Indians in 2017, 2019, and 2020. After the title celebrations, Patidar's Instagram tribute perfectly summed up Krunal's impact on the team's success. With a simple yet fitting caption, "The aura was never in question! 🥶" - the RCB skipper paid homage to one of the key architects behind the franchise's historic back-to-back titles. Krunal Pandya was a crucial player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their back-to-back IPL title triumphs in 2025 and 2026. After being signed by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore in the 2025 mega auction, he cemented his status as one of the ultimate "clutch" match-winners in tournament history. He delivered in the biggest moments, starring in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans with a match-defining all-round performance of 43 runs off 28 balls and figures of 2/16. In the final, he once again stepped up, bowling an economical spell of 1/23 in four overs to help RCB secure the championship. Throughout the season, Krunal was a key middle-overs enforcer, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 8.41.

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