Krunal Pandya Reflects on His Journey and Aspirations in Cricket
Krunal Pandya's Cricket Aspirations
Krunal Pandya, an all-rounder for the Indian team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), recently discussed how his batting skills are often overlooked. Despite not having played for the national team in nearly five years, he remains determined to represent India again. This insight was shared during a teaser for the RCB podcast.
In the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Krunal was named 'Player of the Match' for his impressive bowling performance, taking 2 wickets for just 17 runs, which contributed to RCB's first IPL title.
Last season, he was RCB's second-highest wicket-taker, securing 17 wickets in 15 matches, averaging 22.29, and achieving a four-wicket haul against his former team, the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Although his batting contributions were limited, his unbeaten 73 against Delhi Capitals (DC) was a standout moment, especially as RCB was struggling at 26/3 while chasing a target of 163 runs.
Historically, Krunal's bowling has overshadowed his batting in the IPL. His first significant batting performance came in his debut season in 2016, where he scored 86 runs against DC off just 37 balls.
Krunal's Passion for Batting
During the podcast, Krunal expressed how he has been labeled differently each season. He highlighted his 119-run partnership against DC, which helped maintain the team's unbeaten streak away from home.
"Every season, I have been tagged differently. Initially, I was seen as a bowling all-rounder, then a batting all-rounder. Batting is very important to me. People often forget my batting capabilities, but I am close to 2,000 runs," he remarked.
Krunal's Performance Stats
In his IPL career, Krunal has accumulated 1,756 runs across 118 innings, averaging 22.22 with a strike rate exceeding 132. He has recorded two fifties, with his highest score being 86. His debut season in 2016 was particularly notable, where he scored 237 runs in nine innings at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate above 191.
Despite a lackluster performance in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he managed only 63 runs in four innings, he showcased his batting talent in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 321 runs in seven matches at an average of 53.50, including one century and two fifties.
Desire to Represent India Again
Krunal, who last donned the Indian jersey in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, is eager to return to international cricket, despite the fierce competition in the T20 format, especially after India's consecutive T20 World Cup victories.
"Playing for the country is unparalleled. I performed well in the matches I played, and my goal remains to represent India again," he stated.
He also mentioned that he has gained a better understanding of the game, adding, "The sky is the limit, and anything can happen at any moment."
Krunal Pandya's International Statistics
In his international career, Krunal has played five ODIs, scoring 130 runs at an impressive average of 65.00 and a strike rate over 101, including a half-century on debut. He has also taken two wickets in ODIs. In T20Is, he has scored 124 runs in 10 innings with a strike rate of 130.52, achieving a best score of 26* and claiming 15 wickets at an average close to 37.