RCB’s back-to-back IPL title triumphs were built on complete team dominance, and Krunal Pandya once again proved why he is one of the franchise’s most valuable players. After the historic campaign, skipper Rajat Patidar made sure to acknowledge the all-rounder’s contribution with a great Instagram post that included the caption.RCB won 11 matches during their title run, including nine victories in the league stage, Qualifier 1, and the final. It was a season defined by consistency and authority, with the Bengaluru-based franchise sticking to Patidar’s pre-season statement that they were not defending a title but chasing another.Among the outstanding performers was Colonel Pandya, who continued his reputation as RCB’s silent hero. The all-rounder contributed 226 runs and took 14 wickets, becoming the first player in franchise history to achieve the double of 200 runs and 10 wickets in a single IPL season.The championship win also added another remarkable chapter to the Colonel’s IPL legacy. The 2026 victory 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 captured Krunal’s impact on the team’s success. With a simple yet apt caption, “Aura was never in question! 🥶” – the RCB skipper paid tribute to one of the main architects behind the franchise’s historic back-to-back titles.Krunal Pandya was a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their back-to-back IPL titles 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 match-winners” in history. He starred in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans in the biggest moments with an all-round performance of 43 off 28 balls and figures of 2/16. In the final, he stepped up again, bowling an economical spell of 1/23 in four overs to help RCB secure the championship. Throughout the season, Krunal was a key middle-over enforcer, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 8.41.
