IPL 2020: Hardik Pandya praises brother Krunal Pandya for bowling Wasim Akram-like yorkers

Krunal Pandya didn’t have much to do in the first two matches for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). Neither did he get many chances to bat, nor was he entrusted to bowl a whole lot of overs. However, in MI’s third match against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Krunal had a major role to play.

Though he didn’t get to bat, he did his job with precision with the ball in hand. At a time when KXIP were chasing 192 from 20 overs, the left-arm spinner bowled with accuracy. In four overs, he gave away only 27 runs and got Karun Nair’s wicket. In the meantime, Hardik Pandya was delighted with how his brother churned out variations and bowled fast yorkers.

He even went on to compare Krunal’s yorkers to that of the legendary Wasim Akram. “We are seeing this new thing coming. Where is this Wasim Akram coming in and bowling yorkers?” Hardik asked Krunal in a video interview for the IPL.

You have to find your own way: Krunal Pandya

In reply, Krunal said that bowlers have to be on their toes, bearing in mind that the batsmen have become innovative in their stroke-play.

“These days the batting skill has gone so, so up and the way the wickets are.. you have to find your own way to make doesn’t go after you. Sometimes, you have to do all this. At the end of the day, if you execute your plans, you are going to be happy,” Krunal said.

In his spell, Krunal conceded only one six and bowled nine dot balls. Krunal said that he was “determined” to deliver and was confident of helping his team through to victory.

“When I came in the 4th over, they were going really well. I was just thinking one thing that I should be bowling according to the field. I was very determined as well. Today, I was determined, I took it as a challenge, they were going well and thought ‘If I bowl good here, we are again back in the game’,” Krunal added.

MI won the match by 48 runs and went to the top of the points table. Their fourth match is against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, October 4 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.