Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya says he is delighted to be a part of the India's T20I squad against England. Image Courtesy: BCCI

Last month’s IPL auction had some surprising picks, as some players were bought for an unexpectedly high price by the franchises.

One of them being Krunal Pandya, who had played for Mumbai Indians in the previous two editions of the cash-rich league.

Krunal Pandya, IPL Auction 2018, IPL 11, Mumbai Indians, RTM Card
Krunal Pandya grabs headlines for his staggering deal in IPL Auction 2018. Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI

Pandya was instrumental in the final of the 2017 edition where he scored a 47 not out and guided his team to victory and win their third title.

Krunal Pandya was bought for a huge amount of 8.8 crores by Mumbai Indians making him the highest paid uncapped player and an increment of 22 times of his base price.

Krunal Pandya, IPL Auction 2018, IPL 11, Mumbai Indians, RTM Card
Krunal Pandya scored 243 runs in the 2017 edition and picked up ten wickets. Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI

The left-handed all-rounder has played 25 matches for the Mumbai Indians and has scored 480 runs and picked up 16 wickets. Krunal Pandya’s 2017 season was instrumental for him as well as the team as he scored 243 runs and picked up ten wickets.

Talking about the moment when Mumbai Pandya bought him, he said,

“I was nervous on 27th because I knew my name would come up on the auction day, but I was excited as well. So, on that day, since 9:30 am, I started watching the auction. Till my name came up, it was around 4 pm and I was quite excited to know that I will get to play for Mumbai Indians.” 

Krunal Pandya, IPL Auction 2018, IPL 11, Mumbai Indians, RTM Card
Krunal Pandya scored 47 not out in the final of the 2017 edition. Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI.

Krunal said he was confident that his favourite franchise would buy him,

“I was quite confident that Mumbai Indians will pick me. I wanted to play for MI since I started my journey here itself. I’ve said this previously that Mumbai Indians is my dream team, my favourite team, even when I was not playing in the IPL. So, for me, playing for Mumbai Indians means a lot. There are so many things Mumbai Indians has given me and taught me as a player.” 

Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya
Krunal Pandya will join his brother Hardik Pandya in the Mumbai Indian dressing room. Image Courtesy: Mumbai Indians

Krunal will join his brother Hardik Pandya who was earlier retained by the franchise.

Both the brothers rose to fame in the IPL while playing for Mumbai Indians.

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Krunal said Hardik was over the moon when Mumbai bought him,

“He was happy to know this. He was happy that we, both brothers would be playing in the same team. Eventually, it will help us and the team as well because we know each other very well and we have played cricket together since our childhood days. So, it’s good for the team, and it’s good for us as well.”

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