Krunal Pandya's Cryptic Instagram Post Sparks Debate After Exclusion from T20I Squad

Krunal Pandya, the all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed hope on Instagram after being excluded from India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. His post has sparked discussions among fans and cricket analysts, questioning the selectors' decision despite his impressive performances in recent IPL seasons. With a strong track record, many supporters are advocating for his return to the national team. This article delves into Krunal's career stats and the reactions from fans regarding his omission.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 2, 2026, 17:55 IST

Krunal Pandya Left Out of T20I Series Against Afghanistan

Krunal Pandya, an all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), took to Instagram to share a cryptic message following his omission from the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, which is set to commence on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the 15-member squad led by Shreyas Iyer for the T20I matches against Afghanistan. The lineup includes the return of Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah, while Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana's inclusion is conditional on their fitness. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has retained his spot, and Tilak Varma continues as vice-captain.

Unfortunately, Hardik Pandya's anticipated return to international cricket has been postponed due to a new leg injury sustained during his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, which has ruled him out of the T20I series.

Krunal Pandya's Hopeful Message

In response to his exclusion, Krunal Pandya expressed optimism about a potential recall to the national team, rather than voicing disappointment over the selectors' decision. His Instagram story read, "Hope is Still Alive," reflecting his desire to return to the squad despite not having played for India since 2021.

Krunal's performance in the IPL has been noteworthy, contributing significantly to RCB's success in the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He has scored 335 runs, including two half-centuries, with an average of 27.91 and a strike rate of 139, alongside taking 31 wickets at an average of 25.93 and an economy rate of 8.33 over 31 matches.

Fan Reactions to Krunal's Exclusion

Krunal's Instagram post has ignited discussions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where fans and cricket analysts have questioned the selectors' choice to overlook him once again.

Many supporters voiced their backing for Krunal, emphasizing his consistent performances for RCB and his dual capability with bat and ball. Some fans expressed hope for his return to the national team, while others felt he should continue to wait for his opportunity.

Comments from fans included sentiments like, "Krunal Pandya deserves another shot in the Indian T20I setup. Hopefully, the call comes soon," and critiques of the selectors' decisions, particularly in favor of younger players like Washington Sundar.

Krunal Pandya's T20I Career Stats

In his T20I career, Krunal has accumulated 124 runs with an average of 24.80 and a strike rate of 130.52, along with 15 wickets at an average of 36.93 and an economy rate of 8.10 across 19 matches.