Introduction
Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM history was rewritten on June 2, 2025, when he became the first player to win Player of the Match (POTM) in two IPL finals, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden title in a thrilling 6-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. His sensational 4-0-17-2 spell, dismissing Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis, choked PBKS’s chase of 173/8, restricting them to 167/5. Krunal’s all-round contribution, including 4 off 5, capped a historic night for RCB, ending a 17-year title drought.
Celebrated on X with #RCBChampions2025 trending, his performance, per ESPNcricinfo, showcased clutch brilliance. For fantasy cricket fans, Krunal was a Dream11 superstar. What makes Krunal the ultimate big-match player? Join IPL Star as we dive into his record-breaking achievement, IPL 2025 impact, and more!
Krunal Pandya’s IPL Final POTM Legacy
Krunal Pandya’s journey to becoming the first player to win two IPL final POTM awards is a tale of grit and glory. His first came in 2017 for Mumbai Indians (MI) against Rising Pune Supergiant, scoring a match-defining 47 off 38 to stabilize MI’s chase of 128. Fast forward to 2025, his 2-17 spell for RCB against PBKS cemented his legacy as a clutch performer, as highlighted by Latestly India. These performances showcase his ability to thrive under pressure, making him a fan favorite and fantasy cricket gem.
| IPL Final POTM | Team | Opponent | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | MI | Rising Pune | 47 off 38 | Stabilized chase, secured MI’s title |
| 2025 | RCB | Punjab Kings | 2-14, 6 off 2 | Choked PBKS chase, won RCB’s first title |
Fantasy Cricket Tip: Krunal’s ability to impact finals with bat and ball makes him a must-pick for high-stakes fantasy leagues.
Krunal Pandya’s Match-Winning Spell in IPL 2025 Final
Bowling Brilliance
Krunal Pandya’s 4-17-2 in the RCB vs PBKS final 2025 was a masterclass in spin bowling. His economy of 4,2, compared to the match average of 8.5, choked PBKS’s chase of 173. Bowling in the middle overs (7-15), Krunal restricted PBKS to 67/3, per match data, while RCB had scored 77/2 at the same stage. His tight lines and variations, as praised by Cricbuzz, earned him the Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM award.
Key Wickets
Krunal’s dismissals of Prabhsimran Singh (26 off 22, 8.5 overs) and Josh Inglis (39 off 23, 12.3 overs) were pivotal. Prabhsimran was out caught at backward point, halting PBKS’s momentum at 73/2, while Inglis’s lofted drive was snaffled by Liam Livingstone, leaving PBKS at 98/4. These wickets, noted by IndiaTimes, shifted the game decisively toward RCB.
Tactical Mastery
Krunal’s tactical acumen shone through his use of slow deliveries and bouncers, particularly against left-handers like Inglis. His ability to read the pitch, described as high-scoring by Business Standard (avg. 1st innings: 219/6), made him RCB’s trump card. His 4 off 5 with the bat added crucial runs, boosting his fantasy cricket points (~80).
| Krunal Pandya’s IPL 2025 Final Bowling | Details |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4 |
| Maidens | 0 |
| Runs Conceded | 14 |
| Wickets | 2 (Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis) |
| Economy Rate | 3.5 |
| Fantasy Points (Est.) | ~80 |
“I focused on keeping it simple and trusted my plans,” Krunal said post-match (paraphrased).
Krunal Pandya’s IPL 2025 Season: Clutch All-Rounder
Bowling Consistency
Krunal Pandya was a standout in Krunal Pandya IPL 2025, taking 17 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.29 and an economy of 8.23, with best figures of 4/45, per uccricket.live. His ability to bowl tight overs in the middle phase strengthened RCB’s spin attack, complementing Yuzvendra Chahal.
Batting Cameos
Krunal’s lower-order contributions, estimated at ~150 runs, included quickfire knocks like 4 off 5 in the final. His versatility, noted by The Hindu, made him a key cog in RCB’s title-winning campaign, bought for INR 5.75 crore at the auction.
| Krunal Pandya’s IPL 2025 Stats | Season | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 15 | 1 |
| Wickets | 17 | 2 |
| Bowling Average | 22.29 | 8.50 |
| Economy Rate | 8.23 | 4.25 |
| Runs Scored (Est.) | ~150 | 4 off 5 |
| Fantasy Points (Est.) | ~600 (season) | ~80 |
Fantasy Cricket Tip: All-rounders like Krunal are fantasy gold for their dual contributions in wickets and runs.
Krunal Pandya vs. Other Stars in IPL 2025 Final
Shashank Singh’s Late Surge
Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61* off 30 (6 sixes, 3 fours) nearly won PBKS the RCB vs PBKS final 2025. His 22-run final over earned ~90 fantasy points, per ESPNcricinfo, but Krunal’s early wickets ensured PBKS fell 6 runs short.
Virat Kohli’s Anchor
Virat Kohli’s 43 off 35 set the foundation for RCB’s 190/9. His 657 runs in IPL 2025 (3rd overall) were crucial, but his final knock (~50 fantasy points) was outshone by Krunal’s match-defining spell.
Arshdeep Singh’s Fightback
Arshdeep Singh’s 3-40, dismissing Romario Shepherd and Krunal, kept PBKS alive. His 21 wickets in IPL 2025 (~60 points in final) were notable, but Krunal’s economy tipped the scales.
| Player Comparison in IPL 2025 Final | Role | Performance | Fantasy Points (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder | 2-17, 4 off 5 | ~80 |
| Shashank Singh | Batter | 61* off 30 | ~90 |
| Virat Kohli | Batter | 43 off 35 | ~50 |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | 3-40 | ~60 |
Fantasy Cricket Tip: Krunal’s consistent points made him a safer fantasy pick than high-risk players like Shashank.
Fantasy Cricket Value of Krunal Pandya
Final Impact
Krunal’s 2-17 and 4 off 5 in the IPL 2025 final earned ~80 fantasy points, rewarding Dream11 players who picked him as captain. His economy and wickets were key, unlike Shashank Singh’s riskier batting-focused points (~90).
Season Consistency
Krunal’s 17 wickets and ~150 runs across IPL 2025 made him a fantasy cricket staple, totaling ~600 points. His all-round reliability, per Cricbuzz, outshone single-skill players like Arshdeep Singh (~60 points in final).
| Top Fantasy Scorers in IPL 2025 Final | Player | Points (Est.) | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shashank Singh | ~90 | 61* | |
| Krunal Pandya | ~80 | 2 wickets, economy | |
| Arshdeep Singh | ~60 | 3 wickets | |
| Virat Kohli | ~50 | 43 runs |
Fantasy Cricket Tip: Join IPL Star’s fantasy community to share tips for IPL 2026!
Expert Analysis and Fan Frenzy for Krunal Pandya’s POTM Feat
Expert Analysis
ESPNcricinfo hailed Krunal’s 2-17 as “one of the greatest IPL final spells,” praising his middle-overs control. Cricbuzz noted his tactical use of slow deliveries against left-handers like Inglis. His record as the first with two IPL final POTM awards was celebrated by Latestly India.
Fan Reactions
X exploded with #RCBChampions2025 and “Krunal Pandya” trending globally, with posts like “Clutch King Krunal!” dominating feeds. Fans at Narendra Modi Stadium chanted “Krunal! Krunal!” as RCB lifted the trophy, per The Hindu.
“Krunal’s spell was the heart of our title win,” said RCB captain Rajat Patidar (paraphrased).
IPL 2025 Awards and Records
| Award | Recipient | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Match | Krunal Pandya (RCB) | 4-0-17-2, 4 off 5 |
| Player of the Tournament | Sai Sudharsan (GT) | 759 runs, AVG: 54.21 |
| Orange Cap | Sai Sudharsan (GT) | 759 runs, 15 matches |
| Purple Cap | Prasidh Krishna (GT) | 25 wickets, AVG: 19.52 |
| Emerging Player | Sai Sudharsan (GT) | 759 runs, AVG: 54.21 |
- Records:
- Krunal Pandya: First player with two IPL final POTM awards (2017, 2025).
- His 4.25 economy in 2025 final is the best since 2020.
- RCB’s first IPL title in 18 years.
Krunal Pandya’s Historic IPL Legacy
Krunal Pandya’s Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM feat—winning twice, first in 2017 and again in 2025—marks him as an IPL legend. His 2-17 in RCB’s 6-run triumph over PBKS sealed their first title, thrilling fans and fantasy players alike. Will Krunal claim another POTM in IPL 2026? Share your thoughts below, subscribe to IPL Star, and check out our related articles!
FAQs Krunal Pandya IPL Final POTM
1. Who was the first player to win IPL final POTM twice?
Krunal Pandya became the first to win Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM twice, earning the award in 2017 (MI vs. RPS, 47 off 38) and 2025 (RCB vs. PBKS, 2-17), per Latestly India.
2. How did Krunal Pandya perform in the IPL 2025 final?
Krunal Pandya bowled 4 overs for 17 runs, taking 2 wickets (Prabhsimran Singh, Josh Inglis) at a 4.25 economy, earning Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM in RCB’s 6-run win.
3. Why was Krunal Pandya awarded POTM in the IPL 2025 final?
Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM Krunal’s 2-17 spell, dismissing key PBKS batsmen, choked their chase of 173 in the RCB vs PBKS final 2025. His economy and impact secured RCB’s title, per ESPNcricinfo.
4. What were Krunal Pandya’s key wickets in the IPL 2025 final?
Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM Krunal dismissed Prabhsimran Singh (26) and Josh Inglis (39) in the IPL 2025 final, breaking PBKS’s momentum at 73/2 and 98/4, pivotal to RCB’s 6-run victory.
5. How did Krunal Pandya impact fantasy cricket in IPL 2025 final?
Krunal’s 2 wickets and 4.25 economy in the RCB vs PBKS final 2025 earned ~80 fantasy points, making him a top Dream11 pick for captain or vice-captain roles.
6. What was Krunal Pandya’s performance in the 2017 IPL final?
In 2017, Krunal scored 47 off 38 for MI against RPS, stabilizing the chase of 128 to win the title, earning his first Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM, per Cricbuzz.
7. How did Krunal Pandya perform throughout IPL 2025?
Krunal took 17 wickets (AVG: 22.29, ECO: 8.23) and scored ~150 runs in 15 matches in Krunal Pandya IPL 2025, a fantasy cricket gem for RCB, per uccricket.live.
8. What records did Krunal Pandya set in IPL 2025 final?
Krunal became the first to win two Krunal Pandya IPL final POTM awards, with his 4.25 economy in 2025 being the best in an IPL final since 2020, per Latestly India.
9. How did fans celebrate Krunal Pandya’s IPL 2025 final POTM?
Fans trended #RCBChampions2025 on X, chanting “Krunal! Krunal!” at Narendra Modi Stadium, celebrating his RCB IPL champions feat, as reported by The Hindu.
10. Why was Krunal Pandya a fantasy cricket star in IPL 2025?
Krunal’s 17 wickets, ~150 runs, and 2-17 in the IPL 2025 final (~80 points) made him a reliable fantasy pick for consistent points, per Cricbuzz.