‘Exceptional’ Rasikh and ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal – RCB’s champion support acts for 2026 title

The Unsung Architects of Triumph

In the high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League, the spotlight often shines brightest on the spearhead bowlers and the heavy-hitting top-order batsmen. However, for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2026 season, the championship trophy was secured not just by the big names, but by the quiet, calculated brilliance of two essential players: Rasikh Salam and Krunal Pandya. Their contributions provided the tactical balance that transformed a strong squad into a title-winning unit.

Rasikh Salam: The Tactical Game-Changer

While veterans like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood handled the new ball duties, Rasikh Salam operated in the engine room of the RCB bowling lineup. Finishing the season with 19 wickets—four more than Hazlewood—Salam proved that consistency remains the most potent weapon in T20 cricket. His performance in the final against the Gujarat Titans, where he claimed 3 for 27, was a masterclass in middle-over management.

Reflecting on his season, analysts highlighted his unique role. Often brought on as the first or second change, Salam did not have the luxury of bowling when the ball was at its most abrasive. Yet, his ability to mix up his deliveries—ranging from accurate yorkers to deceptive knuckleballs and back-of-the-hand slower balls—made him a nightmare for the opposition. As noted during expert discussions, being defensive is currently synonymous with being offensive, and Salam mastered this art.

Why Salam Thrived in the RCB System

Critics point out that Salam benefited from having a formidable bowling attack ahead of him. By the time he entered the fray, the game was usually already open, allowing him to focus on executing his variations. He functioned as the perfect foil for the pace spearheads, providing stability that allowed the team to strangle the opposition’s scoring rate during the critical middle phase of the innings.

Krunal Pandya: The Ultimate ‘Unbelievable Package’

If Salam was the tactical pivot, Krunal Pandya was the team’s heartbeat. An ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal brought to the table, he served as both a reliable wicket-taker and a versatile batter. With 14 wickets and 226 runs at an impressive strike rate of 145.80, Krunal’s value extended far beyond simple statistics.

His experience of 158 IPL matches proved invaluable during the pressure-cooker moments of the playoffs. Experts have praised his mental acuity, noting that he possesses an intuitive understanding of how to adapt to specific bowlers and pitch conditions. Whether it is his clever shuffling to the off-stump to counter bowlers attacking his body or his astute planning against aggressive batting lineups, Krunal has redefined what is expected of a modern-day allrounder.

Strategic Depth and Future Outlook

The success of the 2026 RCB side was built on the premise that a winning team requires more than just individual brilliance; it requires specialist support acts who can perform under pressure. Krunal’s ability to remain ‘busy’ at the crease and his tactical awareness while bowling—choosing exactly which delivery to bowl to which batter—made him a quintessential part of the winning formula.

As the dust settles on the 2026 season, it is clear that while the headlines may focus on the marquee players, it was the partnership between an ‘exceptional’ Rasikh and the ‘unbelievable package’ Krunal that formed the bedrock of RCB’s championship success. Their ability to step up, execute their plans with clinical precision, and provide stability when the game hung in the balance proved that in modern T20 cricket, depth is just as important as top-tier talent.

The franchise now looks ahead to future seasons with the confidence that their squad composition is not reliant on a single individual, but rather a well-oiled machine where every cog—especially the support acts—knows their role to perfection. This depth, forged by experience and tactical versatility, remains the benchmark for success in the competitive landscape of the IPL.