'I want to be myself, don't want to imitate anyone' - Krunal Pandya vows to carve own identity as LSG skipper

Lucknow Super Giants skipper Krunal Pandya has received widespread praise after guiding his side to an impressive victory against five-time champions Mumbai Indians. While the Indian all-rounder tries to learn from other established captains, he does not want to imitate anybody else.

Catastrophe struck for the Lucknow-based franchise when influential skipper KL Rahul was ruled out of the ongoing IPL 2023 after sustaining an injury during the clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, his deputy Krunal Padya has done a commendable job ever since taking over the leadership role.

The LSG stand-in skipper, who played a crucial innings with the bat against his former side Mumbai Indians, does not want to imitate any other player. Krunal stated he wants to play his natural game and wants to bring the same to his captaincy by being himself in the middle. 

“Obviously, I’ve been aware that I’m the vice-captain for the team, and again I’ve never changed. I always played cricket how I wanted to play cricket. I’ve taken the captaincy the same way as well. I don’t want to imitate anyone. 

Yes, I want to learn good things from everyone but at the same time, I want to be myself. If I be myself, and if I do it my way then the chances of doing well for the team is high. I’ve played cricket hard and in a certain way, and the same thing I apply while captaining this team as well,”  Krunal said during a media interaction.

We have always taken responsibility, and we have seen this game as a leader: Krunal Pandya

Talking about his discussion with his younger brother Hardik Pandya, Krunal said that they discuss everything as they have played so much cricket together. While Hardik led Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title last year, Krunal is eyeing to replicate the same feat this year. He revealed that both of them like taking responsibility since their younger days.

“We discuss cricket a lot, we discuss everything. We have played cricket in a certain way, whether we were leaders or not we have always taken responsibility, and we have seen this game as a leader. So when you become captain, it’s slightly easier because you have always seen the game how you can contribute and how you can win games,” he added.