Pandya says playing for India is still what he’d most like to do, but he’s focused on what’s happening right now and letting his playing do the talking. In Mumbai, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder said he’s focusing on playing consistently and helping his team win, and he believes chances to play internationally will come if he continues to do that.
Krunal Pandya’s international ambition and mindset
He’s very clear about wanting to represent India above all else, but he doesn’t spend time worrying about who gets chosen for the team. He’d rather focus on the things he can do, which are playing well and helping his team win games, he told reporters.
He thinks about times in the past when he played in white ball (limited overs) cricket and feels he did a pretty good job when he was selected. Pandya says he’s leaving the rest to luck, and is taking a sensible, step-by-step approach to his career and what he hopes to achieve.
International record and last appearance
The last time Pandya played for India was in July 2021 on tour in Sri Lanka – the third One Day International on July 20th and the second Twenty20 International on July 25th in Colombo. He hasn’t played for India since then, but he’d like to play again.
He has played 5 One Day Internationals and 19 Twenty20 Internationals in total. In those 24 matches he scored 254 runs and took 17 wickets, which shows he’s a player who both bats and bowls, and hasn’t had a huge number of opportunities internationally.
IPL career highlights and development
Pandya has become known mostly because of the Indian Premier League, where he’s been a good player who can change the outcome of a match. From the beginning of his time in the IPL he’s shown he has both power when batting and skill with his bowling, making him a useful player in white ball formats.
He started in the IPL with Mumbai in 2016, and quickly did well, scoring 237 runs quickly and taking 6 wickets. In the 2017 final he won Player of the Match for a calm 47 from 38 balls in a low-scoring, tense match.
Statistical milestones and auction moves
In 146 IPL games Pandya has 1,757 runs (averaging 21.96) and 98 wickets (with an economy rate of 7.51). These stats show he can win you games with both bat and ball.
After Mumbai bought him back for 2018 he was important in winning the championship in 2019 and 2020, even hitting the runs that won the 2020 final. He then went to Lucknow, and in 2025 was bought for 5.75 crore, and was a key part of them winning their first championship.
Role at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and present focus
Now with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pandya wants to use everything he’s learned in the IPL to regularly play well for his new team. He says his first priority is to help the team win, and he thinks that if he does that, people will notice him and he’ll be chosen to play for India again.
Pandya’s recent good form and how he leads in difficult situations means the people choosing the Indian team are aware of him. His ability to hit in the middle of the batting order and bowl legspin gives a team options and balance in white ball cricket.
Outlook and realistic pathway back to India squad
Pandya believes the way to get back into the Indian team is to consistently play well in domestic and franchise cricket. Players who do well, especially under pressure in Twenty20 and limited overs games, are often chosen by the selectors.
What Pandya says publicly – that he’s concentrating on getting the basics right, trusting his own ability, and following a plan – is similar to what many professional athletes say. If Pandya continues to make important, match-winning plays, he may soon get his chance to play for India once more.
