Sunil Gavaskar backs Krunal Pandya for Bhuvneshwar Kumar-like India comeback

Sunil Gavaskar backs Krunal Pandya for Bhuvneshwar Kumar-like India comeback

Sunil Gavaskar Backs Krunal Pandya for India Comeback After RCB’s IPL Success

With India’s long-term plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup beginning to attract attention, discussion around experienced players returning to the national side is gathering pace. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has recently returned to the India setup, while many fans are also wondering whether fast bowler Mohammed Shami could earn another opportunity. But former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has highlighted a different name: all-rounder Krunal Pandya.

Gavaskar’s comments followed the rain-abandoned fifth T20I between India and the West Indies in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17. Speaking to JioStar, the cricket legend praised Krunal’s tactical awareness, versatility and ability to contribute in several areas. His backing has added a fresh angle to the selection conversation, particularly as India consider the balance and depth needed for future white-ball tournaments.

Why Krunal Pandya Is Back in the National-Team Conversation

Krunal last represented India during the team’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2021. Since then, he has remained a regular presence in domestic and franchise cricket, where his left-arm spin and lower-order batting have made him a useful option. His recent performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru have strengthened the case for another look at him, according to Gavaskar.

RCB’s success across the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons has placed several of the franchise’s key performers in the spotlight. Krunal played an important role in both campaigns, contributing with the ball and offering support with the bat when the team needed it. His value was not limited to one standout performance: he provided a dependable, flexible option across different match situations.

That kind of versatility can matter in international cricket, where teams often need players who can adapt to changing conditions and cover more than one role. A spin-bowling all-rounder can give a captain an additional bowling option while also strengthening the batting order—an especially useful combination in limited-overs formats.

Krunal’s IPL Numbers Show His All-Round Value

In IPL 2026, Krunal claimed 14 wickets in 16 matches, recording an average of 30.35 and an economy rate of 8.45. He also scored 226 runs, including a valuable half-century against his former franchise, the Mumbai Indians. That innings demonstrated his ability to contribute more than just a few late runs when the team’s batting effort required support.

His 2025 campaign was also productive. Krunal took 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 8.23 and added 109 runs across seven innings. Taken together, those seasons underline his role as a player capable of influencing a game in multiple phases—whether through controlling the middle overs, taking a timely wicket or adding useful runs.

Raw statistics, of course, do not automatically guarantee an international recall. Selectors must consider the quality of opposition, the conditions in which a player performs, the team’s existing balance and the demands of the format. Still, Krunal’s recent record gives supporters a strong basis for arguing that he deserves to be considered, particularly for white-ball cricket.

Gavaskar Praises Krunal’s Bowling Intelligence

Gavaskar’s endorsement focused not only on Krunal’s wicket tally but also on the way he approaches bowling. He acknowledged that Krunal is not a major turner of the ball, but said the all-rounder compensates with smart variations in line and length and a strong understanding of the batter’s intentions.

“Outstanding cricketer, really one of the smart cricketers that we’ve seen,” Gavaskar said. He noted that Krunal can target the pads, adjust his lengths and occasionally use a bouncer to disrupt a batter’s rhythm. In Gavaskar’s assessment, Krunal is continually thinking through the contest—looking either to create a dismissal opportunity or to restrict the opposition’s scoring.

That tactical approach could be particularly relevant in limited-overs cricket. Batters increasingly look to attack spin, so a bowler’s ability to vary pace, angle and length can be just as important as sharp turn. By changing his plan according to the batter and the match situation, Krunal can offer a captain a flexible middle-overs option.

Fielding and Lower-Order Batting Add to His Case

Gavaskar also pointed to Krunal’s contributions outside his primary role. His energetic work in the field, especially in the deep, adds another layer to his value. In close white-ball contests, a boundary-saving stop or a well-judged catch can shift momentum just as decisively as a wicket or a quick scoring burst.

With the bat, Krunal can provide depth and give the top order more room to take calculated risks. He is not simply a specialist bowler asked to occupy the crease; he has shown that he can produce a meaningful contribution when the situation calls for it. That combination of bowling, batting and fielding is one reason Gavaskar believes he could be useful in a team built to compete for major tournaments.

Gavaskar framed his argument around the demands of winning a World Cup, saying teams should select players they believe can help deliver the title. It is a broader point about selection: experience and reputation matter, but so do adaptability, temperament and the ability to contribute across different phases of a match.

What a Recall Could Mean for India’s 2027 ODI World Cup Plans

Whether Krunal returns to the national side will depend on the selectors’ plans and the balance they want in India’s white-ball squad. The competition for places is likely to be intense, with established players and emerging talent both in contention. India will also need to assess how its spin options fit alongside specialist batters, all-rounders and fast bowlers as preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup develop.

For now, Gavaskar’s backing is not a prediction that Krunal will be selected; it is a clear endorsement of the qualities he believes a successful team needs. His recent IPL performances have renewed the discussion, while his tactical bowling, useful batting and strong fielding provide a compelling all-round profile.

The selection debate will continue as India’s schedule and priorities become clearer. But after two influential IPL campaigns, Krunal Pandya has given supporters a reason to ask whether his international career deserves another chapter—and Gavaskar has made it clear that, in his view, the all-rounder should not be overlooked.

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