The flamboyant Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has been recovering from the back injury which he suffered during the Asia Cup, but his elder brother Krunal is likely to make his India debut in the Twenty20 International series against Windies or the subsequent T20I series in Australia.
Krunal was a part of the Indian dressing room when he was roped in as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar for the T20Is in England earlier this year, but didn’t get a game. However, it gave him a chance to observe veterans like MS Dhoni.
During a recent interview with Times of India, the southpaw said, “I was there for a very short time. I was with the India ‘A’ team there, before I was called up into the squad. I observed Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) closely during those six days. I told myself: ‘I want to be like him.’ The way he carries himself, his simplicity, grace, he’s achieved so much, but is so down to earth.”
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Krunal has got his chance after consistent performances with Mumbai Indians, Baroda and India A over the last three years. He did some hardships along with Rahul Dravid, the India A coach, and improved his game. He was also glad that he could be making his India debut under Rohit Sharma, his captain in the IPL.
Talking about his experience with Dravid, Krunal said, “His (Dravid’s) inputs have been of great help. He told me that: ‘If you’ve to be a consistent performer, you’ve to play according to what the situation demands, rather than playing your natural game.’ He has told me to back myself to stick to hitting the big shots since I have got the ability to do that. I started playing in the IPL under him (Rohit), and have played around 50-60 games under him. His inputs have been valuable. He gives a player the chance to express himself. We both know each other very well. It’s good for me.”
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Speaking about the night of his selection, Krunal said he was ‘surprised’ and credited Pankhuri (his wife) for bringing him good luck. He said, ever since his marriage in December, he has been hearing good news. As in January, he became the most expensive uncapped player in the IPL when he was bought by MI for ₹8.8 crores, 22 times more than his base price. A few months later he was picked for the Indian team in England and now this. Obviously, he said lady luck is working for sure.
Krunal also hoped to play with his brother in India colors in the future. He concluded, “He (Hardik) just told me to go out and play bindaas (carefree) cricket. I’ll pick his brains about how to play in Australia since he’s been there twice. It’s a dream that in future we will play together for India, as we do for MI. From childhood, we’ve played all our cricket together.”
