India vs England: Krunal Pandya gets emotional after receiving maiden ODI cap, pays tribute to father

High-flying India will be looking to continue their dominance over England in ODIs at home when both the teams lock horns in the three-match series. India will have their confidence high after their victory over the visitors in the Test and the T20I series. In both the series, the hosts came from behind to emerge victorious.

The Virat Kohli-led side won the Tests 3-1 before clinching the T20I series 3-2. In the fifth and final T20I, the Men in Blue had thoroughly outplayed England to win the game by 36 runs and seal the series. With momentum on their side, India will be looking to make a winning start in the ODI series against the reigning world champions.

The home side are taking the field for the first game with two debutants – Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna. Both the players had earned their maiden ODI call-up last week for the ongoing series. Fast-bowler Prasidh earned the call-up after impressing in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy in which he picked up 14 wickets in seven matches at an average of 24.5. Prasidh has also been a consistent performer in domestic circuit for the last few years.

Krunal, on the other hand, scored two unbeaten centuries and two fifties for Baroda in the domestic 50-over tournament. The 29-year old is not new to international cricket. The southpaw has already represented India in a total of 18 T20Is after making his debut in 2018.

Krunal Pandya hugs his brother Hardik

Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna got their maiden ODI caps before the start of the first ODI on Tuesday in Pune. The India players and the coach made a huddle where head coach Ravi Shastri was seen addressing the team. Krunal Pandya then received the cap from his younger brother Hardik and became emotional.

In a video posted by the BCCI, the all-rounder looked up to the sky by lifting his cap towards it. It was perhaps a tribute to his father Himanshu Pandya who tragically passed away in January this year after suffering a cardiac arrest. The Indian players were later seen congratulating Krunal and Prasidh. The video ended on an emotional note as a teary-eyed Krunal hugged his brother on a special occasion.

Here is the video posted by the BCCI:

ODI debut for @krunalpandya24 👌
International debut for @prasidh43 👍#TeamIndia @Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/Hm9abtwW0g

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 23, 2021