Krunal Pandya Aims for India Return While Shining in IPL

Krunal Pandya, currently playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is focused on his goal of representing India again. After last playing for the national team in 2021, he emphasizes the importance of strong performances in the IPL. With a successful track record in the league, including significant contributions to Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, Pandya aims to make a comeback to international cricket. His journey reflects dedication and ambition, as he balances his IPL success with aspirations for national representation. Read on to explore his cricket career and future goals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 13, 2026, 10:40 IST

Krunal Pandya's Aspirations

Krunal Pandya, currently with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has expressed that his primary ambition is to represent India. He is dedicated to performing well and helping his team secure victories, believing that opportunities will arise as a result of his efforts.

Past International Appearances

Pandya's last appearance for the Indian national team was during the Sri Lanka tour in July 2021, where he played in the third ODI on July 20 and the second T20I on July 25 in Colombo. Since then, he has not participated in any international matches.

Focus on Performance

"My ultimate goal is to play for my country, but I prefer not to dwell on it too much. I aim to focus on my performance and winning games. If the opportunity arises, I would be thrilled, as representing my country is my ultimate aspiration," Pandya shared with reporters.

"I believe I performed decently during my previous opportunities in white-ball cricket. I just want to concentrate on my game and leave the rest to fate," he added.

International Career Overview

In his international career, Pandya has participated in 5 ODIs and 19 T20Is, accumulating a total of 254 runs across these 24 matches, while also taking 17 wickets.

IPL Career Highlights

Krunal Pandya has made a significant impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 1757 runs in 146 matches at an average of 21.96. He has also taken 98 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 7.51.

Tenure with Mumbai Indians

Pandya was acquired by Mumbai Indians during the IPL 2016 auction for Rs 2 crore. He quickly established himself as a crucial member of the lower-middle order alongside Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard. In his debut season, he scored 237 runs with a strike rate of 191.12 and took six wickets.

He was awarded Player of the Match in the 2017 IPL final for his composed innings of 47 runs off 38 balls in a low-scoring match.

In the following auction, he was re-signed for Rs 8.80 crore and played a vital role in Mumbai's consecutive title victories in 2019 and 2020, notably hitting the winning runs in the 2020 final against Delhi Capitals.

Transition to Lucknow Super Giants

With the introduction of two new teams in 2022, Pandya was picked by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8.25 crore, contributing to their playoff appearances in both of their initial seasons.

Success in IPL 2025

In IPL 2025, Pandya was acquired for Rs 5.75 crore at the auction held in Jeddah, playing a crucial role in his team's first IPL championship.

He was named Player of the Match in the IPL 2025 Final, showcasing impressive bowling figures of 4 overs, 17 runs, and 2 wickets against the Punjab Kings.