Pandya hits milestone

Krunal Pandya reached the Indian Premier League all-round double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win over Lucknow Super Giants on April 15. (espncricinfo.com) Pandya took 2 for 38 in Bengaluru, removing Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad as Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowled Lucknow Super Giants out for 146 and chased the target in 15.1 overs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by five wickets and moved to the top of the 2026 table. (espncricinfo.com) ESPNcricinfo’s career page lists Pandya at 147 Indian Premier League matches, 1,757 runs and exactly 100 wickets for Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He is a left-hand batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler who debuted in the league in 2016. (espncricinfo.com) The 100-wicket mark is rare for finger spinners in this tournament. ESPNcricinfo noted there are now 12 spinners with 100 Indian Premier League wickets, a group dominated by wristspinners and mystery spinners rather than left-arm orthodox bowlers like Pandya. (espncricinfo.com) Pandya’s value has usually come from doing two jobs in one roster spot. Mumbai Indians used him as a lower-middle-order hitter in title wins in 2019 and 2020, and Lucknow Super Giants kept him through their first two playoff seasons after signing him in the 2022 auction for 8.25 crore rupees. (espncricinfo.com) This season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also used him as a control bowler on dry surfaces. In the Lucknow match, ESPNcricinfo said he mixed in bouncers and a low-arm variation that kept Marsh from lining up length the way he expected. (espncricinfo.com) The milestone gives selectors and broadcasters a clean number to attach to a player whose work is often spread across short spells and quick cameos rather than headline centuries or five-wicket hauls. On April 15, the numbers landed in the middle of a win that also tightened Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s grip on the early-season standings. (espncricinfo.com)