Sachin Tendulkar in awe of Krunal Pandya's 'perfect ball' as RCB star outfoxes Jos Buttler: 'Watched the batter's feet'

Sachin Tendulkar was impressed by Krunal Pandya's delivery which led to Jos Buttler's dismissal.

Updated on: May 31, 2026, 21:42:30 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Sachin Tendulkar was left in awe of Krunal Pandya after the spinner's delivery led to Jos Buttler's stumping during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday. (RCB vs GT IPL 2026 LIVE SCORE)

Krunal Pandya and his RCB teammates celebrate Jos Buttler's dismissal. (ANI Pic Service)

With Buttler and Washington Sundar looking to build a partnership after GT lost Sai Sudharsan (12), Shubman Gill (10) and Nishan Sindhu (20) early, Rajat Patidar decided to send Krunal Pandya in the 13th over.

Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar questions IPL final scheduling after GT's late-night arrival: ‘They could have pushed it’

The RCB spinner was up against Buttler in the first ball and removed the Englishman right away. Building on his side's early momentum, Pandya sent a fast, wide yorker as he saw Buttler stepping out the whole time. Buttler failed to connect, and wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma completed the stumping. The GT batter left for 19 off 23 balls.

Taking to X, Sachin wrote, “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.”

The match began with RCB skipper Rajat Patidar winning the toss and opting to bowl.

Josh Hazlewood struck early in the third over for RCB in the powerplay, removing GT skipper and opener Shubman Gill, for 10 off eight balls. Receiving a short-length delivery, outside off, Gill tried to short-arm jab it, but ended up lofting it off the bottom half of his bat, and it went over the bowler's head. Jacob Duffy at mid-on was in good condition but didn't commit to it. Meanwhile, Patidar ran from mid-off to complete the catch as GT stuttered at 22/1 in 2.2 overs.

Then in the next over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Sai Sudharsan for 12 off 12 balls. Bhuvneshwar sent a short delivery, angled across. Sudharsan should have left it alone. But he ended up top edging it, and Jitesh ran to his right to take the catch. Meanwhile, Rasikh Salam dismissed Nishant Sindhu (20) in the eighth over.

After Buttler's dismissal, Sundar remained unbeaten, but failed to find any support as batters came and went. Sundar remained unbeaten at 50* off 37 balls, packed with five fours, as GT posted 156/8 in 20 overs. Rasikh Salam took a three-wicket haul for RCB.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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