BENGALURU – Fifteen years ago, on the rough matting wickets of Palej, a small town in Gujarat’s Bharuch district, a lanky teenager learned a lesson that would shape his entire career. Bowling with coated balls in local village tournaments, he quickly discovered that spin-friendly conditions were a luxury he couldn’t count on. Survival meant discipline, control, and constant innovation. That same spirit of reinvention still drives Krunal Pandya today, as he steps onto the field for his 11th Indian Premier League season.
The elder of the Pandya brothers, Krunal has carved out a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable left-arm spinners. Over the past two seasons with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he has become a vital cog in their attack. His Player of the Match performance in last year’s final – a spell of 2/17 under pressure – underscored exactly why he’s so valuable when the stakes are highest.
But at 35, Krunal isn’t just focused on defending RCB’s crown. Quietly, he’s nurturing a dream that has never faded: a return to the Indian national team. It’s been nearly four years since he last wore the blue jersey in July 2021, but the ambition remains as sharp as ever. "Nothing is bigger than playing for the country," he says, and those words carry the weight of someone who has tasted that honour and wants it back.
In an exclusive interview, Krunal opened up about what has kept him going through 152 IPL matches, how he’s reinvented his bowling to stay ahead of the game, and why gratitude and resilience are at the heart of his journey.
On his 11th IPL season and personal evolution
"When you start playing at the highest level, you want to play as long as you can. What I’m most proud of is the longevity – 11 seasons is a sign that I’ve constantly gotten better. I’ve always focused on becoming the best version of myself. Over the years, there has been so much learning. I’ve seen extreme highs and lows in the last decade, and each one has taught me something valuable."
On adapting his bowling for modern T20 cricket
"Early in my career, I relied heavily on turn. But the IPL demands more than that. Batsmen are aggressive, pitches vary, and you need to be unpredictable. I’ve worked hard on adding bounce and deception to my bowling – subtle changes in pace, trajectory, and angle. It’s about staying one step ahead. The game evolves fast, and if you don’t evolve with it, you get left behind."
On his India comeback dream
"Playing for your country is the ultimate honour. I’ve had a taste of it, and that fire hasn’t gone away. Every season in the IPL is an opportunity to prove I belong at that level. I know the competition is fierce, but I believe in my skills and my experience. As long as I’m performing and contributing to my team’s success, I’ll keep that dream alive."
For Krunal, the journey from Palej’s matting wickets to the IPL’s biggest stages has been defined by one constant: the will to adapt, improve, and never stop believing. Whether it’s spinning RCB to another title or earning that call from the national selectors, his story is far from finished.