“Miles Ahead”: Ex-BCCI Selector claims Krunal Pandya offers more than Axar Patel – Kris Srikkanth Backs Krunal Pandya Over Axar Patel for India T20I Recall

The Case for a Comeback: Krunal Pandya’s Resurgence

The landscape of Indian T20 cricket is constantly evolving, and recent comments from former Chief Selector Kris Srikkanth have sparked a significant conversation regarding squad depth. Following a commanding performance in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dismantled the Gujarat Titans, Srikkanth has publicly advocated for the inclusion of Krunal Pandya back into the national fold.

Dominance Against Gujarat Titans

The match in question saw RCB put up an imposing 254-run total, a record-breaking effort that left the Gujarat Titans reeling. While Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal laid a strong foundation with a 72-run partnership, it was the partnership between Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya that truly accelerated the innings. Patidar, who remained unbeaten on 93 from just 33 balls, found an able partner in Pandya, whose all-round contribution of 43 runs proved vital.

The Gujarat Titans’ chase never materialized, with the team losing five wickets in the powerplay. Jacob Duffy starred with three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, and Krunal Pandya each chipped in with two wickets apiece to dismantle the opposition lineup.

Srikkanth’s Strong Endorsement

Kris Srikkanth, speaking on his official YouTube channel, did not mince words when assessing the current hierarchy of Indian all-rounders. He firmly stated that Krunal Pandya, who last featured for India in 2021, deserves another opportunity at the highest level. His critique went as far as suggesting that Pandya has leapfrogged Axar Patel in the T20 format.

“Krunal Pandya is the real catalyst for RCB with his all-around abilities. He deserves the Indian cap again. He played long back, but they dropped him. This is the right time to give him a chance again. He is suddenly miles ahead of Axar Patel in the T20 format. If you take the last two IPLs, he’s miles ahead,” Srikkanth remarked.

Why the Numbers Matter

Pandya’s performance throughout the current tournament underscores why he is being discussed as a serious contender. As a versatile floater in the batting order, he has provided stability and aggression when required. Over the course of 15 matches, he has accumulated 225 runs at an impressive average of 45 and a strike rate of 147, including a half-century. His utility as a bowler is equally noteworthy, with 13 wickets in the tournament and an economy rate of 8.64.

A New Era for RCB

Beyond the individual brilliance of Pandya, Srikkanth lauded the collective mindset of the RCB batting unit. The strategy to aggressively target bowlers regardless of the situation has clearly intimidated opponents. “The RCB batters are demolishing the bowling in such a way that the bowling side and the bowling captain don’t know what to do,” Srikkanth added. Along with Pandya and Patidar, Srikkanth also highlighted Bhuvneshwar Kumar as a player who warrants a look-in for the national squad.

As the cricket world looks toward future international assignments, the selection dilemma regarding the all-rounder position continues to grow. Whether the selectors heed Srikkanth’s advice remains to be seen, but Krunal Pandya has certainly made his case as strong as ever through his consistent contributions on the field.