Ex-CSK Star Faces Backlash for Mocking Krunal Pandya [Source: AFP, X]During the IPL 2026 clash between the Mumbai Indians and RCB, an ex-CSK player allegedly made a controversial remark on Krunal Pandya, who was struggling with serious cramps while batting in the second innings.Chasing 167, RCB were in a tough spot after losing 3 wickets for 39 runs. Amid this, Krunal stepped up with a match-winning knock that nearly guided Bengaluru home.Badrinath allegedly mocked Krunal’s injuryHowever, Krunal Pandya’s fight was beyond the pressure of the scoreboard as he was struggling with serious cramps. The humidity of Raipur got the better of him, and he had to be treated.At one point, Krunal just lay down on the crease in pain, and MI wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton came forward to help. He asked for Pandya’s well-being and looked after him in what came across as true sportsmanship.However, Subramaniam Badrinath apparently had a strong reaction to this moment. Sitting in the commentary box, the ex-CSK batter allegedly said that Rickelton shouldn’t help Krunal Pandya and let him just die there so that RCB loses the game.Vipin Tiwari @Vipintiwari952 Co-commentator when Krunal got injured: “So nice of Rickelton to help Krunal there. Time and again.” Badrinath: “Instead of helping, he should just let him die there so RCB loses.” The other commentator was completely shocked. May 11, 2026, 2:22 AM This viral statement drew strong reactions from fans on social media as they slammed Badrinath for being insensitive and violating the spirit of the game.Yesh @Real_Yesh @Vipintiwari952 When u have Match Fixers, Cheaters, Jail guys comeback what do you expect? A Professional? The Prasadox @Prasadox @Vipintiwari952 It will be disrespectful for Cricket if this person gets to seat in commentary panel again. 👎 @StarSportsIndia Sathya Sairam @Sairam55885760 @Vipintiwari952 he is a disgrace to commentating and cricket reviewing fraternity! as well as to TN cricket! Sne 🇮🇳 @SneRaghu Badrinath is proving to be a psch0, time and again! Remove this guy from commentary to preserve the sanctity of the game. #SackBadrinath @StarSportsIndia @JioHotstar @JioHotstartam lalomanca @kyabatauvro He's still crying on the fact that Kohli got selected ahead of him😂 May 11, 2026, 10:21 AM Also Read - BCCI Punishes RCB Kingmaker For Major IPL Code Of Conduct ViolationThat being said, we cannot confirm the authenticity of the statement. So far, it’s unverified, and neither Badrinath nor the BCCI have come forward to explain anything.Krunal Pandya admitted to battling crampsAll-rounder Krunal Pandya proved to be RCB’s knight in shining armour as he scored 73 off 46 balls to guide RCB to a 2-wicket victory in a 167-run, tense chase.After Bengaluru beat MI in a last-ball thriller, Krunal admitted that cramps spread across his whole body while batting in the second innings. Pandya joked that he is not used to batting that long, after cramps spread from his calf to his glutes and back during the exhausting knock.“I was cramping a lot. It started from my calf, went to my glutes, went to my back, everywhere. I was cramping. I mean, not often I bat that long, right? So it was something new for me. But yeah, I'm pretty happy. At the end of the day, what matters are those two points,” Pandya said in a post-match interview.RCB knock out MI out of the playoff raceThat being said, the RCB vs MI game at Raipur turned out to be an absolute blockbuster thriller. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s four-wicket-haul restricted MI to just 166 runs in the first innings.Naman Dhir (47) and Tilak Varma (57) showed courage while the rest of the batting order collapsed.MI, interestingly, fought back as they reduced RCB to 39/3. From there, Krunal Pandya saved the defending champions’ ship with an anchor knock of 73. Still, the game went down to the wire and with 10 needed off the last over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit a six.On the last ball, Rasikh Salam stole a double and won the thriller for RCB. With that, the Mumbai Indians are officially out of the playoff race, while Bengaluru topped the points table with 14 points.Also Read - Hardik Pandya To Part Ways With Mumbai Indians? Latest Activity Sparks Buzz
