Street smart Krunal raises RCB's bowling profile

KOLKATA: It has gone down as a wide in the scorecard, but Venkatesh Iyer might disagree. Taking off his helmet since the ball went to Krunal Pandya was a reaction you would expect from any batter when spin takes over but Iyer was certainly not expecting a bouncer.

- Somshuvra Laha

Not too well directed of course, but the message was delivered. Driven home rather, if you consider how Pandya knocked Iyer over next ball by firing in flatter and quicker after pushing him on the backfoot.

This is a two-ball tactic often used by fast bowlers but not as much in white-ball cricket, and definitely not by spinners.

Pandya wants to write his own rules though, challenging batters to read him better. "I wanted to bowl quick; changes of pace were useful too. Jitesh (keeper) knows I can do anything, bowl a wide yorker or bouncer, so he's aware," said Pandya after RCB's seven-wicket win against KKR on Saturday.