Being picked in India’s 16-member squad for the T20I series against the Windies and Australia, all-rounder Krunal Pandya’s joy knows no bounds. With the T20 leg against the Windies beginning from November 4, Pandya could make his international debut as soon as the coming Sunday. While his younger brother Hardik is still recuperating from an injury, Krunal is excited to don the blue jersey as soon as possible.
In his recent interview with The Times of India (TOI), Krunal talked about his selection in the Indian team and family’s reactions.
On his selection for the T20I series against the Windies, Pandya said: “I was really surprised and obviously, happy when I got to know of my selection. The team was announced at 10.30pm. Pankhuri (his wife) told me that I was selected for the T20s against West Indies. After that, when I logged on to Twitter, I saw my name in the Indian T20 team for Australia also. Hardik had gone to sleep by then, as he had to train in the morning. However, he came out after he got to know and was all excited.”
The left-hander also credited his wife for his selection and said:“I got married in December, and in January, I became the most expensive uncapped player in the IPL (he was bought by MI for Rs 8.8 crores, 22 times more than his base price). A few months later I was picked for the Indian team in England when I least expected it since I was with the India ‘A’ team there, and now this. Obviously, lady luck is working.”
Speaking about the advice that Hardik gave to his elder brother for the Australia tour, Krunal said: “He just told me to go out and play bindaas (carefree series) 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.”
The series against Australia gets underway on November 21 at The Gabba in Brisbane.
