2019 World Cup: Krunal Pandya Dreams of Representing India in England

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya has revealed his dream of representing India in the 2019 World Cup in England. He has been improving by leaps and bounds and has been in the reckoning for India selection for some time.

Consistent performances for India got him a call-up to the national side for the Twenty20 International series in England. Though he didn’t get a game but sharing the dressing room with the Indian team was very special for the elder Pandya.

“It has been a great journey for me and from where I started three years back with the Mumbai Indians to where I am right now. I am happy with the way I have evolved in the last three years,” Mumbai Indians website quoted Krunal as saying.

Krunal is well aware of the fact that it is just the start of achieving bigger things in the near future.

“It is just the beginning, but the feeling was really good because from childhood you tend to dream to play for the country and suddenly when you get a call, it feels great. I was with the India ‘A’ squad when I suddenly got a call from the T20I side,” Krunal further added.

Krunal Pandya reveals it was a big moment in Baroda and for his family:

The all-rounder revealed that it was a big moment back in Baroda and for his family and Hardik Pandya as he shared the dressing room with his younger brother for the first time in the Indian team. He revealed that it was a big moment for him to be in the Indian dressing room with his younger brother.

“We’ve been playing cricket since childhood. It was like a dream come true for both of us. In the first T20I when Hardik and I shared the dressing room for India, it was a great feeling, and in fact, he posted a picture also,” he added.

“It is a good feeling to be with Hardik in the Indian team. We have played with each other for Mumbai Indians too. So it’s good to play with him rather than playing against him,” he said.

Krunal is part of India A squad which will play a quadrangular series. The other teams are India B, Australia A and South Africa A.

Krunal Pandya is still unsure whether he is bowling or a batting all-rounder

“I have a lot to learn and a lot to achieve as well. I am looking forward to more cricket. Feel it (Quadrangular series) as one more opportunity to go out there and perform.” he maintained.

However, he is still unsure whether he is batting or a bowling all-rounder.

“I am still figuring out if I am a bowling all-rounder or a batting all-rounder. (laughs) I like to work on all the skills. Whether it is bowling, batting or fielding. I don’t want to be a half of something,” he added.

“I have been working both on bowling and batting — that’s how I am preparing myself too,” Krunal said.

The southpaw is very confident of his progress at the international level and hopes to play the World Cup 2019.

Krunal Pandya feels that he is the radar for a Team India call-up in the 2019 World Cup which is slated to be played in England, next year.

“I am going tournament by tournament, or you can say match by match, and if I do well consistently, I’ll get what I want. So obviously at the end, the ultimate aim is to play the 2019 World Cup for India. I hope the way I am going, I will achieve that as well,” Krunal further added.