Krunal Pandya playfully taunts Dinesh Karthik after RCB coach forgets his role i – Krunal Pandya Playfully Taunts Dinesh Karthik In RCB Dressing Room

The Playful Banter That Stole the Show After RCB’s Big Win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have booked their spot in the IPL 2026 final, but the celebration in the dressing room featured a hilarious, light-hearted exchange that has quickly gone viral. Following their commanding victory over the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, RCB coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik, along with batsman Devdutt Padikkal, almost forgot to mention Krunal Pandya’s name while handing out accolades. Not one to let his efforts go unnoticed, Krunal playfully chimed in to remind them of his crucial contributions.

As Devdutt Padikkal was addressing the squad about staying focused on the ultimate prize and preparing to wrap up his speech, Krunal Pandya playfully interrupted the proceedings. He looked at his teammates and quipped, “Mera naam bhool gaya bhai” (You forgot my name, brother).

The quick-witted Dinesh Karthik immediately reacted to the veteran all-rounder’s playful complaint. “Krunal, good job,” Karthik responded, before officially correcting his speech. “Well done, Krunal. Good effort on the bat,” he added. The spontaneous moment sent the entire dressing room, including star batter Virat Kohli, into fits of laughter, highlighting the incredible camaraderie and positive team atmosphere inside the defending champions’ camp.

A Record-Breaking Night on the Field for RCB

While the dressing room vibes were relaxed and joyful, the action on the field was nothing short of intense. Royal Challengers Bengaluru put on a masterclass performance, breaking records and asserting their dominance in the IPL playoffs. RCB posted a massive 254/5 on the scoreboard—the highest total ever recorded in the history of the IPL playoffs.

In response, the Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup crumbled under immense pressure, eventually being bowled out for just 162 runs. This clinical display resulted in a comfortable victory for Bengaluru, securing their place in their second consecutive IPL final. After winning their maiden title in 2025, the franchise is now in prime position to contend for back-to-back championships in 2026.

With this defeat, the Gujarat Titans’ journey is not over yet. They will head to Qualifier 2, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator. The winner of that highly anticipated clash will meet the Royal Challengers in the grand final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31st.

Dinesh Karthik Praises Team Intent and Leadership

Addressing the players after the game, Dinesh Karthik did not hold back his praise for the clinical and professional display. He lauded the top order for setting a relentless pace and refusing to buckle under the pressure of a high-stakes playoff game.

“The intent from the boys right from the start was outstanding. It started with Venky, Virat, and Dev. As a collective, we maintained the tempo throughout,” Karthik said to the squad. “In big games, sometimes teams take the back foot under pressure. But we made sure we kept pushing forward.”

Karthik also singled out young skipper Rajat Patidar, who led by example with a sensational captain’s knock. Patidar played a breathtaking innings, smashing 93 runs off just 33 deliveries to completely take the game away from Gujarat. “Rajat’s innings was incredible. He led from the front in a pressure game and completely took the bowlers apart,” Karthik added.

Krunal Pandya’s Crucial All-Round Contributions

While Patidar and Kohli grabbed the headlines, Krunal Pandya’s role in the triumph was equally vital. The experienced all-rounder made a crucial contribution with the bat to help push RCB to their record total, before returning with the ball to scalp two key wickets, stalling any momentum the Gujarat Titans tried to build during their chase.

The social media post capturing these moments highlighted the spirit of the squad:

RCB v GT: Dressing Room Vibes after a dominating win
Rajat’s brilliance, Bhuvi’s consistency, the team recognising every little contribution, and staying focused with eyes on the bigger prize – here we are bringing you all the behind… https://t.co/6YvdJqddn8

Virat Kohli’s Impact and Looking Ahead to the Final

Dinesh Karthik also took a moment to credit Virat Kohli for setting the tone of the match before the players even stepped onto the field. He emphasized how Kohli’s pre-match speech about maintaining an aggressive body language paid off perfectly.

“Virat spoke before the game about making sure our body language stayed strong, and I think it was as good as it has been in the last several weeks. We had the attitude to get them out, and honestly, we almost sealed the game in the power play itself,” Karthik explained.

As the team prepares to travel to Ahmedabad for the grand finale, Karthik urged the players to enjoy the victory before switching back to business. “In four days’ time, we have a big game, and I’m sure all of you will be up for it. But let’s make sure we have a lot of fun in the next couple of days. And when we hit the road, when we reach Ahmedabad, we’ll focus. But for now, very well done, boys. This is a clinical effort, professional. And I think a 1 vs 2 in a playoff is always a big game. But we played like champions. And I think we can make it happen. On the day, 31st May, let’s look forward to it. And play the same brand of cricket.”