Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya earned praise from none other than Sachin Tendulkar after producing a crucial breakthrough in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans.
The former India captain took to social media to applaud Krunal's skill after he dismissed Jos Buttler during GT's innings in Ahmedabad.
"What a fabulous delivery by Krunal Pandya! He watched the batter's feet until the very last moment before releasing the perfect ball to send him back to the dressing room. "
How Krunal Pandya Dismissed Buttler in RCB vs GT
The wicket came in the 13th over of the innings when Buttler attempted to break free after Gujarat Titans had lost early wickets.
Krunal delivered the ball slightly wider outside off stump, tempting Buttler to advance down the pitch. The England batter
committed early, looking to attack the left-arm spinner, but Krunal cleverly adjusted his release after noticing Buttler's movement.
The ball spun away from the batter's reach, completely beating Buttler's attempted shot.
With Buttler stranded outside his crease, RCB wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma completed a sharp stumping to leave Gujarat Titans in further trouble.
What Impressed Tendulkar?
According to Tendulkar, the key to the dismissal was Krunal's ability to watch the batter's feet until the last possible moment.
What a fabulous delivery by @krunalpandya24! He watched the batter's feet until the very last moment before releasing the perfect ball to send him back to the dressing room.
- Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 31, 2026
Rather than pre-determining the delivery, Krunal reacted to Buttler's movement. By delaying his release and bowling wider once Buttler charged down the track, he removed any chance of the batter reaching the ball.
It was a classic example of a spinner outthinking a batter rather than simply relying on turn or variation.
A Turning Point in RCB vs GT IPL 2026 Final
At the time of the dismissal, Buttler was one of Gujarat Titans' biggest hopes of rebuilding the innings after the early departures of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan.
Removing the experienced England batter not only strengthened RCB's grip on the contest but also highlighted Krunal's growing influence in the middle overs throughout IPL 2026.
The wicket showcased exactly why experienced spinners remain so valuable in high-pressure finals - reading the batter, adapting at the last moment, and forcing mistakes through skill and game awareness rather than sheer pace.
