Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Krunal Pandya has affirmed that his primary ambition is to represent India in international cricket. Currently, he is dedicated to enhancing his on-field performance and contributing to his team’s successes, with the hope that these efforts will lead to opportunities at the national level. Pandya last donned the Indian jersey during the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021, where he participated in the third ODI on July 20 and the second T20I five days later in Colombo. Since these matches, he has not had any further appearances for the national team.

Pandya’s Outlook on National Representation

Pandya expressed his perspective on national representation, stating, “The ultimate goal is to represent the country, and I don’t dwell too much on it. I want to keep doing what I have in my hand, which is to go out there and perform and win games. And in that process, if I get that opportunity, I’ll be really glad because that’s the ultimate goal, playing for the country.” He acknowledged his previous opportunities with the national team and expressed satisfaction with his contributions during that time, emphasizing his desire to continue focusing on his game while leaving the rest to fate.

International Career Statistics

Throughout his career, Krunal Pandya has participated in 5 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 19 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. Across these 24 matches, he has accumulated a total of 254 runs, while also securing 17 wickets. His performances in international formats have established him as a credible candidate for future selections.

Achievements in the Indian Premier League

Pandya has made significant contributions to the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is viewed as a talented player. He has amassed 1757 runs across 146 matches in the IPL, maintaining an average of 21.96. In terms of bowling, he has claimed 98 wickets with an economic rate of 7.51, showcasing his dual capabilities as an all-rounder. His journey in the IPL began when he was acquired by Mumbai Indians in the 2016 auction for Rs 2 crore, quickly becoming an integral part of the team alongside notable players such as Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard.

Notable IPL Performances

In his debut season in 2016, Pandya scored 237 runs with an impressive strike rate of 191.12 and took six wickets. His pivotal role in the 2017 IPL final earned him the Player of the Match award for his composed innings of 47 runs from 38 balls, which proved crucial in a low-scoring game. The following season, he was re-signed for Rs 8.80 crore, continuing to be a backbone in Mumbai’s middle order during their consecutive title victories in 2019 and 2020. Notably, he played a key role by hitting the winning runs in the final against Delhi Capitals in 2020.

Recent Developments and Continued Success

After the introduction of two new teams in the IPL in 2022, Krunal returned to the auction process and was acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8.25 crore. He was instrumental in the team reaching the playoffs in both of their initial seasons. In 2025, he was once again in the spotlight after being picked up at an auction in Jeddah for Rs 5.75 crore, contributing to his team’s first IPL title. His performance in the IPL 2025 Final was particularly noteworthy as he received the Player of the Match award for his exceptional bowling figures of 4 overs, 17 runs, and 2 wickets against the Punjab Kings.

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