Krunal Pandya 100 IPL Wickets: 6th Spinner, 3rd Indian Double

Krunal Pandya reached 100 IPL wickets vs LSG on April 15, becoming only the 6th spinner in IPL history and 3rd Indian with 1000 runs + 100 wickets double.

At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in a high-pressure game, the moment finally arrived. Abdul Samad tried to go hard at a slightly shorter delivery, got a faint edge, and the ball safely landed in the hands of skipper Rajat Patidar. That was it. The 100th wicket. No dramatic celebration, no over-the-top reaction—just a calm acknowledgement of a milestone that had been years in the making.

This wasn’t a sudden rise. This was a decade-long grind. Starting his IPL journey in 2016 with the Mumbai Indians, Krunal built his reputation as a dependable all-rounder. Not always the headline-maker, not always the flashy performer, but always there when the team needed him. Over 147 matches and 137 innings, maintaining an economy rate of 7.53 in a format dominated by big hitters is no small achievement. It reflects discipline, awareness, and the ability to adapt across different conditions.

And now, with 100 wickets, he joins an elite group of spinners in IPL history. Names like Sunil Narine, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, and Axar Patel. That’s not just a list—that’s a legacy group. Bowlers who have defined T20 spin in the IPL. And now, Krunal is part of that conversation.

But what makes this milestone even more special is the rare double he has achieved. 1000+ runs and 100 wickets in the IPL—a combination that only a few Indian players have managed. It highlights his value as a complete all-rounder, someone who contributes with both bat and ball, often without seeking attention.

There have been moments throughout his career that define this journey. Tight spells in the middle overs when the opposition was looking to accelerate. Crucial wickets just when a partnership was building. Handy runs with the bat in pressure situations. These are not always highlight-reel moments, but they are match-defining moments.

Even in his journey with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Krunal has continued to prove his worth. In his debut season with the franchise in 2025, he delivered when it mattered the most, earning Player of the Match awards in both his first game and the IPL final, playing a crucial role in helping RCB secure their maiden title. That kind of performance on big occasions shows his temperament.

And yet, despite all of this, Krunal has often remained underappreciated. Not because he lacks skill, but because his contributions are subtle. He doesn’t rely on big headlines. He builds his impact through consistency.

And this milestone is not just about looking back—it’s about what lies ahead. With his experience, his control in the middle overs, and his ability to contribute with the bat, Krunal continues to be a vital asset for any team he plays for. In a format where specialists often dominate, players like Krunal, who bring balance, become even more valuable.

And what makes this milestone even more powerful is the context in which it came. This was not a quiet, low-pressure game where the result didn’t matter. This was a crucial IPL clash, with momentum, points, and table position all on the line. And in that situation, Krunal Pandya delivered again. The 100th wicket wasn’t just another number added to the tally—it came at a moment when RCB needed control, when LSG were trying to accelerate, and when the game could have shifted in either direction. That’s what defines players like Krunal. They don’t just collect milestones—they earn them in meaningful situations.

If you go back through his IPL career, a clear pattern emerges. He thrives in the middle overs, the phase where games are often decided but rarely highlighted. When batters look to break free, he slows things down. When partnerships start building, he finds a way to break them. His strength is not mystery spin or extravagant turn—it’s control. Tight lines, subtle variations, and an understanding of the batter’s intent. That’s what has kept his economy rate at a strong 7.53 across seasons, even in an era where scoring rates are constantly rising.

And that effectiveness becomes even more valuable when you consider his role as an all-rounder. While this milestone celebrates his bowling, his contributions with the bat cannot be ignored. There have been multiple instances where he has walked in under pressure and added crucial runs, stabilising innings or finishing games. That ability to contribute in both departments is what places him in that rare category of players who bring complete balance to a side.

But being part of the exclusive Indian club with 1000 runs and 100 wickets puts him in even rarer company alongside players like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. These are players who have defined modern IPL cricket with their versatility, and Krunal now stands among them.

He reads conditions better, adapts to different roles, and understands match situations with greater clarity. Whether it’s bowling early to control runs or coming in later to break partnerships, he adjusts without fuss.

For RCB, having a player like Krunal Pandya is a huge advantage. In high-pressure games, where things can change quickly, having someone who can deliver with both bat and ball provides stability. It gives the captain options. It gives the team confidence.

And moments like this—reaching 100 wickets—only reinforce that value. It’s about what he continues to offer. A decade ago, he started as a promising all-rounder.