Krunal Pandya aspires to play for India alongside brother Hardik in WC 2019

Baroda all-rounder Krunal Pandya has made giant strides in the world of cricket in the recent times. A couple of years ago, not many knew about this shy all-rounder. Now, after two successful editions with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Krunal has become a household name. But things certainly do not end just there for the senior Pandya. Pretty much like his brother, Hardik Pandya, who is the Caribbean right now with the Indian team, Krunal Pandya also aspires to play for the national side.

He has certainly got a step closer after he was named in the India A squad for the South Africa tour next month. As per the quotes in Times of India, Krunal reflected at what he aspires to be. He conceded that his goal is to play World Cup 2019 alongside his brother in the national side. He further noted that he received a call from Hardik who congratulated him on being picked in the squad.

“The aim is not just to represent India for a couple of matches here and there but to play for as long as possible. It would be a dream come true if I and Hardik can together play for India in the 2019 World Cup. But right now, focus will be on doing well for India A,” quoted Krunal Pandya.

“Hardik was ecstatic. He called me and said that ‘You are getting there’. Having already played for India, he has an insight about top flight cricket and I always discuss with him to pick finer points. There can’t be a closer buddy than your own brother,” added Krunal.

On IPL 2017

Krunal had a very decent season with the champions Mumbai Indians in the IPL this year. He picked up 10 wickets and returned with 243 runs in the tournament. He noted that he knew the opposition would be knowing his game and hence had his bases covered this time around.

“I knew opposition teams would study my game during this edition of the IPL after a reasonably good first season. I had to work on my weaknesses as the second season becomes the very key in an international level tournament like IPL. I worked on both aspects of my game and it paid off,” mentioned Krunal Pandya.

Strong domestic performances

It was not only the IPL that formed the base of his selection in the India A side. He had been in fine form in the domestic circuit this year. He finished as the leading run scorer for his team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Also, he backed up those performances with gutsy show in the Deodhar Trophy. Krunal is feeling confident heading on to the South African tour.

“It was a tough first few months as I had undergone surgery for quadriceps muscle injury. I was out of action for four to five months. The Vijay Hazare Trophy was like my comeback tournament for Baroda. We played the semi-finals and I had the highest runs (366) and highest wickets (11) for our team. I had a couple of 30s in the Deodhar Trophy. All these performances helped my confidence,” said the all-rounder.

On his gameplan

Talking about his gameplan, he conceded that he is keeping things simple. He cited that reading the mind of the opposition players is very important. He deals in the same trade that Ravindra Jadeja, Pawan Negi, Axar Patel, and Shahbaz Nadeem deal in. Krunal Pandya is unfazed by the competition and believes he only needs to work on his game and not bother about others.

“My thinking is simple. When you are batting, think like a bowler to stay one step ahead and vice versa while bowling. Reading the mind of an opposition player is very important. I would only like to focus on things which are in my control. I can’t perform thinking about who are my competitors. My job is to maximise my potential and perform to the best of my abilities. I will strive doing that,” he concluded.