IPL 2016: Krunal Pandya makes the captain’s job easier, feels Rohit Sharma
IPL 2016: Krunal Pandya makes the captain’s job easier, feels Rohit Sharma
When the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 player auction happened earlier this year in February, eyebrows were raised when Mumbai Indians (MI) bought n uncapped player from Baroda, Krunal Pandya for a whopping INR 2 CR. Till then, for an ordinary Indian cricket fan, Krunal’s only identity was being Team India’s latest sensation Hardik Pandya’s elder brother. Moreover, Krunal had not played competitive cricket for almost a year at that time.
Fast forward to April, Krunal has taken just a couple of games to justify the tag of INR 2 CR and has quickly established himself into the MI playing XI. In the three games that he has played so far, he has batted twice and is yet to be dismissed. His scores read 11-ball 20 not out and 28-ball 49 not out, suggesting he has brought the runs at a brisk pace. Video: Krunal Pandya tries to do Lasith Malinga, but fails.
Being an all-rounder like his brother, he has bowled his left-arm orthodox spin in two matches, with his figures reading 1-20 and 2-27 (including that of champion batsmen Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers’ in single over) from the full quota of four overs. He has played a vital part in MI’s turnaround and his captain Rohit Sharma can’t ask for more.
“He (Krunal) has been impressive. Even in the first game he played here against Gujarat Lions, he did not get wickets but bowled four overs for just 20 runs and, then he did it with the bat in Hyderabad, scored 49 off just 25-26 balls and again today getting those two big important wickets in the middle (de Villiers and Kohli) was very crucial from the team’s perspective,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference after team’s win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.
“I think he has got something about him, he knows his bowling really well and he understands the conditions really well, so it makes my job easier as a captain he sets his own field which is I think very crucial. It shows that you have got lot of confidence into your bowling,” Rohit added. With Krunal shining for the MI, Rohit is undoubtedly a relieved man. The stylish batsman will hope that Krunal’s good run continues for the rest of the tournament and also rubs on to his younger brother Hardik.