Mumbai, Maharashtra: Krunal Pandya, all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, stated that his primary aspiration is to play for the national team. He is concentrating on consistent performances and helping his side secure wins, believing that international chances will arise naturally. Pandya’s most recent appearance for India was in July 2021 during the Sri Lanka tour, where he participated in the third one-day international on July 20 and the second T20 international on July 25 in Colombo. He has not featured internationally since. Speaking to journalists, Pandya said, ‘My main aim is to play for the nation, but I avoid overthinking it. I focus on performing well and contributing to victories. If an opportunity comes, I will be thrilled, as representing the country is the highest honor.’ He added, ‘In the white-ball formats where I played for India, I performed adequately. I concentrate on my role and leave the rest to fate.’ Pandya has appeared in five ODIs and 19 T20Is for India, scoring 254 runs across 24 matches and claiming 17 wickets. In the Indian Premier League, he has excelled, accumulating 1,757 runs in 146 games at an average of 21.96, along with 98 wickets at an economy rate of 7.51. Acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 2 crore in the 2016 auction, he became an essential lower-middle-order player with his brother Hardik and Kieron Pollard. In his debut season, he scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 191.12 and took six wickets. He was named Player of the Match in the 2017 final for his 47 runs off 38 balls in a tight game. Retained by Mumbai Indians for Rs 8.80 crore in 2018, he played a crucial role in their consecutive championships in 2019 and 2020, including delivering the winning runs in the 2020 final against Delhi Capitals. In 2022, with the league’s expansion, he was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8.25 crore and helped them reach the playoffs in their initial two years. For the 2025 season, he joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 5.75 crore at the Jeddah auction and contributed significantly to their first IPL title. He earned Player of the Match honors in the 2025 final with figures of 2 wickets for 17 runs in four overs against Punjab Kings.
