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Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has advocated the return of Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Krunal Pandya to the Indian T20 team. Pandya last played this format for India in 2021.
Srikkanth made his comments after RCB’s win over Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier of IPL 2026. Krunal made an all-round contribution of 43 runs and 2 wickets in RCB’s 92-run win on Tuesday.
RCB reached the final of IPL 2026
GT decided to field first, but the decision did not go as per their expectations. Venkatesh Iyer played an attacking cameo, but the real strength came from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.
Kohli and Padikkal added 72 runs in 6 overs, but were out in the same over off the bowling of Jason Holder. After this Krunal Pandya joined RCB captain Rajat Patidar. The start was cautious, but when the doors opened, runs poured in.
Patidar dropped two catches and added 95 runs with Krunal. Patidar also showed his fast bowling skills in the death overs. RCB scored 114 runs in the last 6 overs and posted a record score of 254, with Patidar scoring unbeaten 93 runs in just 33 balls.
There was no point in chasing the GT. Sai Sudarshan was strangely hit-wicket, and that set the stage for the chase. GT lost 5 wickets in the powerplay itself and the writing was on the wall. Rahul Tewatia scored 64, but that delayed the inevitable. Jacob Duffy took 3 wickets while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal and Rasikh Salam took 2 wickets each.
He deserves an Indian cap again – Kris Srikkanth
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said that Krunal Pandya deserves to be a part of the Indian team once again. Srikkanth termed the left-handed batsman as the best all-rounder in the country and said that he should replace Axar Patel in the Indian team in T20.
“Krunal Pandya is the real catalyst for RCB with his all-round abilities. He deserves the Indian cap again. He played a long time ago, but they kicked him out. This is the right time to give him another chance. He has suddenly become miles ahead of Akshar Patel in T20 format. If you look at the last two IPLs, he is miles ahead. Therefore, Krunal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Patidar deserve to be included in the Indian T20 team.”
Srikkanth praised RCB’s overall batting performance and the way they demolished GT’s bowling. “The Kohli-Padikkal partnership was once again important. Along with Patidar, Krunal Pandya also played a brilliant innings. Starting from Kohli, everyone has decided that no matter what happens, the bowling has to be strengthened.”
He said, “RCB batsmen are destroying the bowling in such a way that the bowling side and the bowling captain do not know what to do.”
Krunal Pandya in IPL 2026
Pandya has been one of the best all-rounders throughout the tournament. He has been used as a floater with the bat and has made valuable contributions whenever asked.
In 15 matches, Pandya has 225 runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 147 with one half-century. He has also taken 13 wickets at an economy of 8.64 and a bowling average of around 31.
Also Read: Krunal Pandya pokes fun at Dinesh Karthik after RCB coach forgets his role in Qualifier 1 (watch video)
