Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya has reiterated that representing India remains his biggest career ambition, even as he concentrates on the day-to-day task of delivering match-winning performances in franchise cricket. The left-handed batter and right-arm bowler said he is focusing on executing his role and believes opportunities at international level will come when the time is right.
Key takeaways
- Krunal Pandya says his primary goal is to play for India, but his current focus is on performing and helping his side win.
- His last appearance for India came during the July 2021 tour of Sri Lanka, including matches on July 20 (third ODI) and July 25 (second T20I) in Colombo.
- For India across international formats, he has featured in 5 ODIs and 19 T20Is, scoring 254 runs and taking 17 wickets.
- In the IPL to date, he has amassed 1,757 runs from 146 matches at a strike rate of 21.96 for batting average, alongside 98 wickets with an economy of 7.51.
- His IPL journey began in 2016 with Mumbai Indians, later moving to Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and joining RCB for IPL 2025 after a Jeddah auction.
- In IPL 2025, he was named Player of the Match in the final after returning bowling figures of 4-0-17-2 against Punjab Kings.
International ambition, current mindset
Pandya stressed that the chance to wear the national jersey is the ultimate objective for him, but he does not want to constantly dwell on it. Instead, he wants to keep working on what he can control: going out, performing, and trying to drive results for his team. He added that if a call-up comes through, he will be grateful because it aligns with that long-term dream of representing the country.
He also reflected on his past white-ball opportunities, saying that whenever he got chances to play for India in those formats, he believes he made a positive impact. Pandya’s message was clear—he intends to keep focusing on his own responsibilities, while leaving the rest of the outcomes to fate.
India record and IPL impact
Krunal Pandya’s international numbers show a limited but notable stint in India colours. He has played 5 ODIs and 19 T20Is for the national team. With the bat, he has accumulated 254 runs across 24 overall appearances, and with the ball he has taken 17 wickets.
In the IPL, he continues to be viewed as a reliable all-round presence. Pandya has struck 1,757 runs in 146 matches at an average of 21.96. As a bowler, he has accounted for 98 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 7.51.
From Mumbai to Lucknow and then IPL 2025
In the IPL 2016 auction, Mumbai Indians secured Krunal Pandya for Rs 2 crore. He quickly established himself as an important part of the franchise’s lower-middle order, batting alongside Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard. During his debut IPL season, Pandya made 237 runs at a strike rate of 191.12 and also took six wickets.
The 2017 season produced a career highlight for him in the IPL final, where he was awarded Player of the Match after a composed knock of 47 off 38 balls in a low-scoring game. The following year, Mumbai Indians retained him through the auction process again, buying him back for Rs 8.80 crore.
Pandya’s role remained significant during Mumbai’s back-to-back title campaigns in 2019 and 2020. One moment that stood out was his contribution in the 2020 final against Delhi Capitals, where he struck the winning runs to help seal the championship.
With the league expanding and two additional franchises entering in 2022, Pandya returned to the auction and was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8.25 crore. He helped the team reach the playoffs in each of their first two seasons in the competition.
He then moved into IPL 2025 after being snapped up for Rs 5.75 crore at the auction held in Jeddah. Pandya played a key part in steering his side to a maiden IPL triumph, and he was named Player of the Match in the IPL 2025 Final. In that decisive game against Punjab Kings, he produced figures of 4-0-17-2.
