Watch: Lucknow echoes with 'Pandya, Pandya' chants amid MI captaincy saga, but there's a twist

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Krunal Pandya was greeted exceptionally by the crowd during the ongoing 11th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The game between the two teams took place at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Krunal Pandya was one of the shining lights for Lucknow Super Giants in the game against Punjab Kings. The all-rounder produced a magnificent effort with the bat and made sure that he gave Lucknow fans everything to cheer about at the Ekana Stadium.

Krunal Pandya came to bat when Lucknow was tumbling at 146/5 and it seemed that they won’t be able to finish the innings on high. But the all-rounder had different plans as he made sure that oozes his class with the bat and takes his team to the big total.

While his brother Hardik Pandya has been getting boos all around, Krunal Pandya made sure that he makes Lucknow fans chant Pandya, Pandya. The all-rounder’s blistering cameo with the bat lifted the crowd up and made them support Krunal for his heroics.

Here’s the video:

Lucknow fans cheering 'Pandya, Pandya'.

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Krunal Pandya played a magnificent innings of unbeaten 43 runs off 22 balls. He batted with a strike rate of over 145 and also slammed four boundaries and two sixes in his innings. Based on his rollicking effort with the bat, Lucknow Super Giants posted a total of 199 runs on the board in 20 overs.

Apart from him, Quinton de Kock at the top played a brilliant inning and slammed 54 runs. Stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran also played a vital innings of 42 runs as Lucknow Super Giants posted a total of close to 200 runs at the Ekana Stadium.

I like to play situations, I am prepared that way – Krunal Pandya after his innings

Krunal Pandya opened up about his innings against the Punjab Kings. He stated that he likes to play the situation and is prepared well to bat in such conditions. He expressed his dedication to the team, saying that he wants to contribute to his team.

Krunal Pandya believes that they have posted a good total on the board. But he is aware of the fact that they need to bowl well as the pitch in Lucknow is completely different from what it was last year. Speaking to broadcasters during mid-innings, he explained:

“I like to play situations, I am prepared that way, I am quite flexible, can bat anywhere from number 3 to number 7. Just want to go out there and contribute. I like to prepare, and take cricket as an exam. Like to prepare, but the result is not in my hand.

“199 is a good total, if we bowl smartly we can defend this. The surface has changed, much better than last year. Need to adapt to the conditions. Need to bowl accordingly and see how it goes.”

Krunal Pandya now would be keen to make an impact with the ball in the game against Punjab Kings. He would want to take some wickets and take his team to win.