Ever since Bhuvneshwar Kumar was able to make his return to the Indian team, all eyes have been on Mohammed Shami. Bhuvneshwar ended a 1425-day wait for his India comeback, albeit in the washed-out Bengaluru T20I against the West Indies. However, it was a signal that selectors are looking at experienced options to be back in the fold.
India vs West Indies, 5th T20I: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
This has led to speculation if Shami could be the next to make a Bhuvi-esque comeback to the Indian team. However, keeping the T20I team in mind, Sunil Gavaskar felt that another RCB star should be next in line to make his India comeback. And it is none other than Krunal Pandya.
The all-rounder was a vital cog in Bengaluru’s title wins in 2025 and 2026 in the IPL, contributing with both bat and ball at crucial points.
During the 2026 season, Krunal picked up 14 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 30.35 and an economy-rate of 8.45. With the bat, he scored 226 runs, including a match-winning fifty against his former side Mumbai Indians.
Speaking to JioStar after the match, Gavaskar pointed out how Krunal is a smart cricketer, especially with the ball. The Indian legend pointed out how the all-rounder is smart enough to restrict the batters, stem the run flow and pick wickets.
“Outstanding cricketer, really one of the smart cricketers that we’ve. Somebody you see his bowling. He’s not a big turner of the ball, but he mixes his line, mixes his lengths so smartly, he reads the batter’s mind, bowls at the pads. You’ve seen him bowl the odd bouncer as well, so he’s always thinking and plotting against the batter, if not to get him out, at least to restrict him,” said Gavaskar.
Gavaskar praised Krunal’s batting and fielding and said if India are targetting World Cups, then they should pick players who would fit the assignment, irrespective of the age.
“And then as a batter, as a fielder in the deep, he’s an outstanding cricketer and I do believe that if you want to win the World Cups, you just go with the guys who you think will win the World Cup.
“Don’t look at their age. That’s not the point. If they’re playing in the IPL, they’re fit. If they’re playing, domestic cricket, they are fit and if they’ve performed in that, you pick them in the India team. That’s how you should go about it,” said Gavaskar.
Krunal last played for India in 2021 during the tour of Sri Lanka.
– Ends
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