Royal Challengers Bengaluru star all-rounder Krunal Pandya has finally broken his silence on his India snub. Despite performing consistently well in the last season, he did not get a chance to make a comeback to the Indian team.
Pandya finished the previous edition of the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker for the Bangalore-based franchise, picking up 17 wickets throughout the season. Sharing his thoughts on a potential national comeback in a recent interview, he admitted, “sometime it hurts”.
It has been five years since Pandya last wore the Men in Blue jersey on the field. However, he still believes that he can represent India again, as he feels he has a lot of cricket left in him.
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Why is Krunal Pandya not being considered for the Indian team?
Krunal Pandya can be a valuable asset for the Indian team due to his all-round ability. However, if we look at the current Indian setup, there are limited openings for this role. In T20Is, India already has strong all-round options like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, who have been crucial to the team’s recent success in ICC events.
In ODIs, the team features young talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, along with the experience of Ravindra Jadeja. Although Hardik Pandya has not been a regular in ODIs recently, his past performances suggest he will return to the format as well.
In Tests, India already has options like Jadeja, Reddy, and Axar Patel fulfilling the all-rounder role effectively. Considering this depth, it is clear that the selectors are reluctant to disturb the current combination and are also looking at younger players who can contribute across formats.
Krunal Pandya said, “Virat Kohli’s unmatched hunger sets him apart from every generation”
Krunal Pandya also spoke about Virat Kohli, highlighting his unmatched passion and consistency in the game. Pandya believes that Kohli’s hunger to score runs and win matches is what makes him stand apart from other cricketers. Having played for Royal Challengers Bangalore for nearly two decades, Kohli continues to show the same intensity and desire every season.
Virat is a classic example. You can see that hunger; you can see that passion in how he sees the game and how much he wants that victory. If Virat Kohli had been born in any (some other) generation, he would still be one of the greats. He is not competing with anyone else,” he said.
Krunal Pandya opens up on RCB’s team atmosphere this season
Krunal Pandya shared that the team atmosphere this season is much calmer and more settled compared to last year, as players now have a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
“I feel that this year there is a much calmer atmosphere. Last year it was a new team, and everyone got to know each other. This year many players understand their roles and each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Pandya said in a release by the franchise.
“When I get into the big occasions, I feel that if God has got you here, then there is a reason behind it and sometimes I think that these big occasions are actually made for me. I feel the pressure, but I think about how I can be calm and in the present moment and do what is required,” he said.
After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match of the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore are now set to face Chennai Super Kings on April 5 at the same venue. It will be interesting to see how RCB performs in this match, especially as Chennai come into it after losing their previous game against Rajasthan Royals.