Krunal Pandya, the left-arm finger spinner and middle-order batsman, has remained a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2016. After being released by MI in 2022, he joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking price of INR 8.25 crore, but was then snatched up by RCB for INR 5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction due to his all-round skills and impressive performance in international cricket. Despite not getting as many opportunities in the national side as his brother Hardik Pandya, Krunal has proven himself to be a valuable asset for any team in the IPL.
Krunal Pandya, the left-arm finger spinner and middle-order batsman, has established himself as a reliable performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since his debut in 2016.
Born in Surat, Gujarat, on March 24, 1991, Krunal is the elder brother of India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. He started playing cricket at a young age and honed his skills at the behest of his father, Himanshu Pandya. Krunal made his first-class debut for Baroda in 2013 and caught the attention of IPL scouts with his all-round abilities.
Krunal joined Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2016 and quickly became an integral part of their team. He played a crucial role in MI's three IPL title victories in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Known for his economical bowling and consistent batting in the lower order, Krunal contributed significantly to MI's success.
After six seasons with MI, Krunal was released by the franchise in 2022. He then joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record-breaking price of INR 8.25 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history. However, he was traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for INR 5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction due to his all-round skills and impressive performance in international cricket.
Despite not getting as many opportunities in the Indian side as his brother, Krunal has proven himself to be a valuable asset for the national team. He made his international debut in a T20I against Australia in 2018 and has since represented India in both ODI and T20 formats. Krunal's impressive performances at the international level have played a role in his success in the IPL.
1. What is Krunal Pandya's best bowling performance in the IPL? Answer: 3/15 for Mumbai Indians against Kings XI Punjab in 2017.
2. What is Krunal Pandya's highest batting score in the IPL? Answer: 86* for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in 2021.
3. How many IPL titles has Krunal Pandya won? Answer: Three (one with Mumbai Indians in 2017 and two in 2019 and 2020).
4. Which IPL team is Krunal Pandya currently playing for? Answer: Royal Challengers Bangalore
5. What is Krunal Pandya's nickname? Answer: PK (Pandya Killer)
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