VVS Laxman Calls for 'Street-Smart' Krunal Pandya's Inclusion in ODIs

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has batted for Krunal Pandya’s inclusion in India’s one-day international team. Krunal Pandya recently starred for India in the just-concluded T20I series against West Indies. The Gujarat allrounder, who made his T20I debut during the Australia tour last year, walked away with the Man of the Series award.

He was instrumental in India’s 3-0 win over the reigning world champions. The southpaw got through overs quickly while slowing down the run rate whenever Virat Kohli handed him the ball. In the second T20I, Pandya struck twice with the wickets of Pooran and Powell to derail the home team’s run chase. Pandya finished the game with figures of 2 for 23 in 3.3 overs.

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He received the Man of the Match award for his showing in the second game. He was economical in the first match of the series as well, finishing with figures of 4-1-13-1. His spell in the first game included 16 dot balls.

VVS Laxman feels the time is right for India to include ‘street-smart’ Krunal Pandya in the ODI team. Laxman said that Krunal can be the ideal man for the number six spot in the Indian team.

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“The older Pandya is street-smart and canny, capable of thinking on his feet. I would love to see him get more opportunities in 50-over cricket too because I believe he can slot in at the No. 6 position and can offer a full complement of 10 overs,” Laxman wrote in his column for the Times of India.

“The man of the match awards (in the three T20s against the West Indies) went to Navdeep Saini, Krunal Pandya and Deepak Chahar, which is testament to the Indian system that prepares players for the rigours and challenges of the international arena. Most hearteningly, these players believed in themselves and played to their strengths. Saini is an express pace bowler, and that’s exactly how he bowled,” the former batting great added.

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India, meanwhile, are currently playing the ODI series against West Indies. The first game of the series ended without result due to poor weather. Both the teams will lock horns in the second ODI on Sunday (August 11).