BENGALURU: Nearly 15 years ago, in Palej—a small settlement in Gujarat’s Bharuch district—Krunal Pandya spent his early days learning how to survive on difficult matting surfaces. Bowling with coated balls in local village matches, he quickly understood that spin would offer very little help and that success would depend on disciplined bowling, tight control, and constant experimentation. Those formative lessons in adjusting and reinventing himself still shape the way Krunal approaches his craft as he steps into his 11th season in the Indian Premier League.
Key takeaways
- Krunal Pandya is entering his 11th IPL season, with his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians dating back to 2016.
- He has played 152 IPL matches so far, and has represented India in five ODI and 19 T20I appearances.
- In the previous season’s final, his spell of 2/17 earned him the Player of the Match award.
- The left-arm spinner last wore the national jersey in July 2021, and is still working toward an India return.
- He attributes improvements to fitness, including a change that strengthens his vertical brace and helps his left-arm spin generate more bounce.
From matting wickets to IPL pressure spells
As the league’s defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru look to protect their title, Krunal has become a crucial part of their spin plans over the last two seasons. The elder of the Pandya brothers has also built a reputation for delivering in high-pressure phases—most notably in last year’s final, where his 2/17 haul won him the Player of the Match award and reinforced his importance in tight moments.
Now 35, Krunal continues to look for ways to evolve, both in mindset and execution. Having experienced the full spectrum of professional cricket—its highs, its setbacks, and the grind in between—he says the journey has made him more grounded and reflective. With growing seniority in the competition, he remains driven by the desire to keep improving and contribute wherever he is needed.
“Longevity” and the logic behind reinvention
In an interview, Krunal spoke about how the past decade has shaped his game and his outlook. He described his time in the IPL as something he views with gratitude, noting that when players reach the highest level, they naturally aim to stay involved for as long as possible. For him, the proudest marker is longevity—being in his 11th season—and the steady improvement he believes he has shown across that span.
He also pointed to the learning curve that comes with surviving extreme days over a ten-year stretch. Those experiences, he said, have made him more humble and increased his appreciation for both the sport and life beyond it. The objective remains straightforward: keep getting better and help his team win games.
Asked whether that desire to reinvent is where his hunger comes from, Krunal agreed. He said he does not avoid trying new ideas if he believes they can offer an advantage. However, he stressed that experimentation is never about flashy gimmicks or doing something merely for attention. Instead, he insists there is always careful reasoning behind changes, along with planning around execution and the likely outcome.
Fitness-led changes and a taller action for more bounce
Krunal clarified that his developments have not happened overnight. He explained that adding variations like bouncers or other changes requires significant practice and repetition rather than sudden alterations in style.
He then addressed where his India ambitions stand while balancing commitments to RCB and Baroda. Krunal said the goal sits “at the top of the table,” adding that nothing matters more to him than representing the country. He maintained that the motivation to play for India has not changed, and that whenever he has received the chance, he has tried to perform. His approach, he said, is to focus on what is in his control—putting in his best effort in the sport he plays.
On a specific mechanical shift, Krunal pointed to fitness as the key factor. He said behind-the-scenes conditioning often goes underappreciated, but it directly influences how much a player can adapt. In his view, being fitter allows a cricketer to attempt new improvements; otherwise, the body may limit adjustments. By working toward being the fittest version of himself, he believes he has opened up space to develop new elements in his bowling.
He also discussed how a new release height has helped him generate more bounce and more “zip” off the surface. According to Krunal, when he bowls left-arm spin now, he is taller in his action compared to before. He has shortened his stride to help create that extra bounce, and he connected the change to the realities of the IPL—where batters often do not get long spells of grip from the wicket, making deception essential. For him, the best cricket he has played in his career has come when he follows his instincts, supported by the improved mechanics he has built.
Short balls, limited batting chances, and milestones in the IPL
When asked to expand on making the short ball a wicket-taking option, Krunal said people have placed considerable emphasis on that delivery. Over the last couple of years, he has noticed data suggesting he has bowled the maximum number of bouncers—something he described as unusual. Even so, he does not fixate on one type of ball. His primary focus, he said, is to stay one step ahead of the batter.
On how he has worked on batting given fewer opportunities in recent seasons, Krunal explained that over the last three to four years he has not had many chances to bat in the IPL. Still, he believes the mental process remains the same: evolve, keep improving, and be ready to take advantage when an opening appears. He noted that the batting group has performed exceptionally well over the last two years, so he has no complaints about his opportunities. But whenever he gets the chance, he will give his full effort.
He then reflected on the scale of his IPL journey, citing more than 1,800 runs and over 100 wickets. To sum it up, he said the word is “grateful.” He also highlighted what he called the icing on the cake—four trophies in total, with three of them coming with Mumbai Indians.
Finally, he addressed why he does not back down from challenges, saying that mindset comes naturally to him and was learned from his parents. He described their attitude as one of never backing away from anything, and said the willpower to keep fighting and not give up has been ingrained in him through their example.
