India vs Windies: Krunal Pandya ecstatic after making his international debut

It’s not everyday that a cricketer gets to make an international debut, and for India nonetheless where every spot in the XI is so highly contested. For all-rounder Krunal Pandya, being handed his maiden India cap was a feeling that could not be described in words. On November 4 at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, he appeared in national colours for the first time. What made it a more memorable debut was the fact that he contributed heavily to allow India to go one up in the 3-match T20I series against the Windies.

Krunal Pandya has time and again shown that he is a highly competent spinning all-rounder. While he can chip in with four overs of useful left-arm spin, his strength lies in his powerful hits lower down the order. Krunal, who represents the Mumbai Indians, has been an integral part of the team’s success in the IPL. For several months now, he was touted as India’s next T20I specialist, and with his younger brother out of the side with injury, the 27-year-old kept the Pandya factor intact in the team by making his debut on Sunday.

Pandya removes MI teammate Kieron Pollard

The Windies were asked to bat first by deputy skipper Rohit Sharma, and endured an embarrassing collapse early in the innings. Pandya Sr. came in to bowl in the middle overs and immediately made a telling impact with the ball. He initially stifled the Windies’ scoring rate, and then got the prized wicket of his Mumbai teammate Kieron Pollard.

The debutant finished with brilliant figures of 1-15 off his quota of four overs, bowling as many as 16 dot balls during his spell. Krunal also earned bragging rights in the MI dressing room by dismissing the big Windies all-rounder, which was also his maiden international wicket.

It was a tricky chase for India as the runs didn’t come easily while they lost some wickets as well. But once again, Krunal stepped up to the plate and scored a quickfire 21 off 9 to steer his team home alongside Dinesh Karthik. The scorecard would say that it was a fairly simple victory for India, but Pandya’s knock was crucial in the context of the game.

A memorable debut for him was made sweeter with the win, and Krunal Pandya took to Twitter to thank all his fans and well-wishers for their messages after the game. He wrote, “Happy for my India debut but happier that we started the T20Is with a win! Thank you all for your messages!! We focus on the next match now. #dreamcomeblue”

Happy for my India 🇮🇳 debut but happier that we started the T20Is with a win! Thank you all for your messages!! We focus on the next match now 💪💪 #dreamcomeblue pic.twitter.com/JVS6MhOoR2

— Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) November 5, 2018

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