I like playing under pressure, says Krunal Pandya after an impressive debut

The Pandya family had an occasion to rejoice over cricket on Sunday despite the fact that Hardik Pandya is nursing an injury and is recovering from it. Krunal Pandya, Hardik’s elder brother, made his international debut in the first T20I against the Windies in Kolkata and he had an impressive outing.

Krunal first had a decent show with the ball, picking the dangerous Kieron Pollard in the 10th over to finish at 1 for 15 in his allotted four overs. He then came out to bat in the 16th over with India requiring 27 runs in the last five overs. The left-hander hit an unbeaten 21 off nine balls to accompany the wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik (31 not out) to take India home in the 18th over. India now have 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The 27-year-old Kunal has proved himself to be a handy all-rounder in domestic cricket as well as in the Indian Premier League but got his first India call in this series. In T20s, Kunal has a batting strike rate of 148-plus and bowling economy rate of below seven, which makes him an asset for any captain.

Was desperate for an opportunity

“I have been preparing myself for this (playing for India), lately I have been desperate for an opportunity. I knew I needed only one game to show what I am capable of,” Krunal Pandya told Star Sports after the match.
Saying that he relishes playing under pressure, he added, “You practice for tough situations and not easy situations. I felt no pressure, I was completely enjoying the game and thinking of how I started playing the game and knew that this was my opportunity.”

Krunal, however, made his international debut not under the celebrated captain Virat Kohli but Rohit Sharma who has been picked as the skipper for this series with the former being rested. The debutant had a word of praise for Rohit, saying the latter likes to keep things simple.

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