Krunal Pandya: Hardik and I want to be like Irfan and Yusuf Pathan
Krunal Pandya: Hardik and I want to be like Irfan and Yusuf Pathan
Krunal Pandya who was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 2 crore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 auction on Saturday at Bengaluru revealed that he and his younger brother Hardik Pandya are finally living their dream of playing cricket at competitive level together. The younger Pandya recently made his debut for India during their tour of Australia in the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series. India clean swept Australia by winning all the three T20Is. Hardik’s performance in that series ensured the selectors kept their faith in him and chose for India’s squad for Asia Cup and ICC World T20 2016. Now both the brothers will be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2016. READ: Mumbai Indians team in IPL 2016: Strong scope to defend title
According to ESPNCricinfo, Krunal admitted that both the brothers have always enjoyed each others’ success. He said, “I always enjoyed Hardik’s success and he enjoyed mine. I told him on a lighter note that ‘Main zyaada mehenga player hoon [I am a costlier player than you], and he responded: ‘Chal, main India player hoon [get lost, I play for India].”
The Baroda played added, “I am a left-arm spinner and he [Hardik Pandya] is a seamer, but we are both hard-hitting batsmen. Both of us have played together from childhood, be it at More sir’s club or for Baroda. We had a dream to play at a competitive level together; that like Pathan brothers even the Pandya brothers should do well. For our parents, sone pe suhaga jaisi baat hui [it was the icing on the cake]. Mumbai Indians team in IPL 2016 Auction Live Updates
Krunal suggested that Mumbai Indians’ scouts Rahul Sanghvi and Kiran More had their eyes on him and he regularly gave them updates regarding his shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Delhi Daredevils’ Pravin Amre also showed interest in him and the fact that two big frachises wanted him eventually motivated Krunal to recover from that injury quickly.
He went on to reveal that their family situation wasn’t great until Hardik bagged his first IPL contract. “We struggled a lot financially. My father was the sole breadwinner but after he had three heart attacks there was no source of income. Our troubles didn’t end before Hardik made it to the IPL. My father’s health improved after watching Hardik succeed,” he said.