India, May 12 -- Veteran all-rounder Krunal Pandya credited mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's improved batting approach after his gritty knock against Mumbai Indians kept the side in the hunt and knocked the five-time champions out of the IPL playoffs race.

Battling severe cramps and batting virtually on one leg, Krunal smashed an unbeaten 73 off 46 balls in a tense chase that RCB sealed off the final delivery.

Krunal said Karthik's behind-the-scenes work with the batters over the last two seasons has played a major role in shaping the side's batting performances. "If you look at last year and even this year, despite the ups and downs, a lot of credit goes to DK," Krunal said at the post-match pre...