In the second day of the IPL mega auction, Punjab Kings grabbed South African pacer Marco Jansen for a whopping Rs seven crore, along with all-rounder Krunal Pandya for Rs 5.75 crore and batsman Nitish Rana for Rs 4.20 crore. Other notable players like Ajinkya Rahane, Kane Williamson, Prithvi Shaw and Shardul Thakur did not receive any bids, highlighting the importance of strategic purchases in the competitive world of IPL auctions.
Krunal Pandya: IPL Mega Auction and Career Highlights
Introduction The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction was held on February 12-13, 2022, with Punjab Kings making a significant acquisition in all-rounder Krunal Pandya for Rs 5.75 crore. This article provides an in-depth look into Pandya's IPL journey and career highlights.
Background Krunal Pandya is a left-handed all-rounder who has represented various teams in the IPL, including Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, and now Punjab Kings. Known for his aggressive batting, accurate bowling, and exceptional fielding skills, Pandya has established himself as a valuable asset in the T20 format.
IPL Mega Auction 2022 During the IPL mega auction, numerous teams expressed interest in acquiring Pandya's services. However, it was Punjab Kings who emerged victorious, securing his bid for Rs 5.75 crore. This move is expected to bolster the team's all-around capabilities, providing depth to their batting and bowling lineup.
Career Highlights Beyond the IPL, Pandya has also been a regular member of the Indian cricket team. He made his international debut in 2018 and has since played in several T20Is and ODIs. Some of his notable achievements include:
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why did Punjab Kings acquire Krunal Pandya? Punjab Kings sought to strengthen their all-round capabilities by bringing in Pandya, who provides depth to their batting, bowling, and fielding units.
2. What is Krunal Pandya's role in the Punjab Kings team? Pandya is expected to play a key role in the team's middle order, contributing with both bat and ball. He could also be utilized as a fifth bowler in certain situations.
3. How has Krunal Pandya performed in the IPL previously? Pandya has been a consistent performer in the IPL, amassing 1312 runs and claiming 53 wickets in 84 matches.
4. What is Krunal Pandya's international record? In 20 T20Is, Pandya has scored 385 runs and taken 17 wickets. In 16 ODIs, he has aggregated 262 runs and grabbed 21 wickets.
5. What other teams has Krunal Pandya played for in the IPL? Prior to joining Punjab Kings, Pandya represented Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
Conclusion Krunal Pandya's acquisition by Punjab Kings in the IPL mega auction is a testament to his all-around abilities and his value in the T20 format. With his experience and skills, Pandya is expected to make a significant contribution to the team's success in the upcoming IPL season.
Chelsea dominated Wolves in a 3-0 victory at home tonight in the Premier League. Malo Gusto and Joao Pedro were the standout players for the Blues with their goals in the second half, while goalkeeper Sanchez earned an easy clean sheet as he went untested in the match. Let's break down the individual performances of each Chelsea player in this impressive win.
In Chelsea's 3-0 win over Wolves, 18-year-old Brazilian Estevao made another impactful appearance off the bench, assisting the second goal just 68 seconds after coming on. Fans have been calling for him to start more regularly and after his recent performance, that demand will only grow louder. Speaking highly of the young talent, coach Enzo Maresca expressed that players like Estevao are what fans want to see on the pitch.
Chelsea put on a dominant display against Wolves at Stamford Bridge, securing a 3-0 victory and moving up to second place in the Premier League. Despite a goalless first half, the Blues eventually found the net through goals from Malo Gusto and Joao Pedro, assisted by Alejandro Garnacho. Pedro Neto added a third against his former team to secure all three points for Enzo Maresca's side.
Fans in Brazil continue to boo Lando Norris, following his second Sprint victory of the 2025 season. Ted Kravitz speculates that the booing may be due to Norris' recent on-track controversies, including his request for a position back in Monza and the "papaya rules" incident in Mexico. Despite his win, Norris' reception from the crowd remains icy.
Arsenal's away game against Slavia Prague seemed bleak without star striker Viktor Gyökeres, but midfielder Mikel Merino stepped up and delivered a phenomenal performance in an unfamiliar role. His two-goal brace showed his versatility and instinct as a natural striker, leaving opposition defenses confused and impressed. Manager Mikel Arteta praised Merino's impact, showcasing the team's depth and unity. This triumph also serves as a reminder to opposing teams that Arsenal has the ability to adapt and win, even in the face of injuries.
In a tense match against Sunderland, Arsenal led with goals from Saka and Trossard before conceding a late equalizer in injury time. However, Arsenal legend David Seaman points to goalkeeper David Raya's decision-making as partially responsible for the equalizer. Despite the draw, Arsenal maintains a strong position in the league standings thanks to Raya's past performances.
In an intense qualifying session for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris edged out Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 0.174 seconds to take pole position. This denied Antonelli his first ever pole position in F1, after he previously set a record as the youngest ever polesitter at the Miami Sprint. Antonelli will start in second place for the race, with Norris expected to be a strong contender for the win.
On a crucial day in the F1 title race, Lando Norris secured pole position in a dramatic qualifying session while his biggest challengers, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, struggled. With a nine-point lead in the championship, Norris has a chance to increase his gap even more over fellow title contenders as Verstappen could only qualify in 16th due to pure pace for the first time in his career. With the possibility of a repeat of his amazing comeback win at Interlagos in 2024, Verstappen will have to put on another incredible performance to keep his title hopes alive.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen endured a shock Q1 exit during qualifying for the 2025 F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, marking his first time being knocked out in the first session in over four years. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda also failed to progress, highlighting Red Bull's struggles at the Interlagos circuit. Verstappen cited lack of grip and compromised setup as the reasons for his poor performance, with both drivers recording uncharacteristically slow lap times. This is the first time since 2006 that both Red Bull drivers have failed to make it past Q1.
In an intense match, Arsenal and Sunderland ended in a 2-2 draw after a late error from the Gunners. Despite putting up a strong fight, Arsenal couldn't hold on to their lead as Sunderland's Brian Brobbey scored an equalizer in extra time. Let's take a look at how each player performed on the pitch, with goalkeeper David Raya receiving a 7 for several stunning saves.