‘Exceptional’ Rasikh and ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal – RCB’s champion support acts for 2026 title
The Unsung Architects of RCB’s Glory
In the high-stakes arena of the Indian Premier League, the focus almost inevitably drifts toward the opening bowlers and the explosive top-order batters. For the 2026 champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the spotlight naturally shone on the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. However, the true narrative of their successful title run lies in the shadow of these giants, where Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya operated with clinical efficiency. Their ability to deliver under pressure made them the ultimate ‘Exceptional’ Rasikh and ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal – RCB’s champion support system.
Rasikh Salam: The Quiet Enforcer
Rasikh Salam finished the campaign with an impressive haul of 19 wickets, outshining even the formidable Josh Hazlewood. His economy rate of 9.45 across the tournament masks the sheer quality of his death-bowling precision. In the championship final against the Gujarat Titans, Salam was the catalyst for RCB’s defensive mastery. By dismissing Nishant Sindhu on the final ball of his second over, he effectively halted the Titans’ momentum, finishing with brilliant figures of 3 for 27.
Former cricketer Varun Aaron noted that Salam provided a vital layer of stability as the third seamer. “He has done his job throughout the season in a very quiet fashion,” Aaron observed. “He has picked up wickets, which is most important in today’s game.” Whether it was his yorkers, his deceptive slower balls, or his knuckle-ball variations, Salam mastered the art of being “defensively offensive,” a trait that has become essential in the modern T20 format.
The Strategic Foil
Tom Moody, analyzing the season, highlighted that Salam was the perfect beneficiary of the pressure created by the RCB spearheads. As a bowler who typically comes in as the first or second change, Salam never had to break the game open from scratch; rather, he excelled at maintaining the chokehold. His mastery of pace variations made him an ideal foil for the new-ball bowlers, ensuring that opposition batters found no respite even after the powerplay.
Krunal Pandya: The Ultimate All-Rounder
If Salam was the tactical pivot, Krunal Pandya was the Swiss Army knife of the RCB squad. With 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.41 and 226 runs at a strike rate of 145.80, Krunal provided the balance that every championship side craves. Having secured his fifth IPL trophy, his experience proved to be the bedrock of the team’s mental toughness.
Moody described the veteran as an “unbelievable package,” emphasizing that his value stems from being a top-six batter who can navigate high-pressure situations with ease. “You’re looking for packages like him,” Moody said. “Not just a bowler, he’s a top-six batter. He has got a bank of experience.”
Tactical Brilliance and Mental Acumen
Beyond the raw statistics, Krunal’s contribution was defined by his situational awareness. Aaron pointed out that Krunal’s ability to adjust his plans mid-over made him a nightmare for opposition batters. “He’s mentally very skilful because he knows who to bowl which ball to,” Aaron explained. “His batting plans are amazing. He’s always busy. He’s doing something different, and that’s what the game requires now.” Whether it was his clever shuffling at the crease to counter bowlers or his sharp tactical decisions in the field, Krunal proved that modern T20 cricket rewards the cerebral player just as much as the explosive one.
Ultimately, while trophies are often won by moments of individual brilliance, the 2026 RCB campaign serves as a poignant reminder that championship teams are built on the backbone of reliable, versatile, and highly intelligent support players who execute their roles with unwavering consistency.
