Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya says he is still holding on to hope of returning to India, even after being away from the national setup for nearly five years. The veteran spinner-batter believes his motivation hasn’t faded, and that the same passion that drew him to cricket in the first place will keep him pushing for another call-up.
Quick facts
- Krunal Pandya says he remains hopeful of an India return despite a near five-year absence.
- He played a major role in RCB’s IPL 2026 run, contributing with both bat and ball.
- In IPL 2026, Krunal scored 226 runs at a strike rate of 145.80.
- He also took 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.41 during the season.
- RCB won their second consecutive IPL title in 2026.
- His last India appearance in a T20I came against Sri Lanka in Colombo on July 25, 2021.
- Since then, he has played in the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants and RCB.
Krunal’s belief in a comeback comes on the back of a standout campaign with RCB. During IPL 2026, he delivered in multiple facets of the game—adding runs while also striking with the ball as the franchise went on to secure its second straight championship.
For the season, Krunal amassed 226 runs with a strike rate of 145.80. With the ball, he finished with 14 wickets while keeping things tight at an economy rate of 8.41, underlining his value as a control-oriented all-round option in T20 cricket.
Last India outing and IPL journey
The 34-year-old’s most recent appearance for India in the shortest format was a T20I against Sri Lanka in Colombo on July 25, 2021. After that, he has continued his IPL career first with Lucknow Super Giants and later with RCB, keeping his match rhythm sharp in franchise cricket.
When asked what representing India means to him now, Krunal stressed that there is no higher badge in the sport. He recalled how the dream of playing for the national side was shaped from a young age, noting that when he was about six or seven, the IPL did not exist—so the priority for any budding cricketer was simply to wear the India jersey.
He said the opportunity arrived in 2018, describing how he made the most of his chances in the matches he played. Krunal also pointed to personal milestones from his international stint, claiming he earned a Man of the Match in Australia and New Zealand, along with a Man of the Series in the West Indies.
He further added that once another opening came in one-day cricket, he felt he performed well again, which only strengthened his confidence in what he can deliver when given responsibility at the international level.
Staying focused beyond selection
While Krunal acknowledged that missing out on the national team can be disappointing, he said he tries not to fixate on selection news. Instead, he keeps returning to the reason he started playing cricket in the first place, describing that love for the sport as the driving force that sustains him through setbacks.
Asked whether he still believes he can get back into the India squad, Krunal was clear that the door remains open in his mind. He said hope is always present, expressing optimism that he will receive another opportunity to play for the country, while keeping his fingers crossed for what comes next.
