Krunal Pandya

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Pandya made his first-class debut on 6 October 2016 for Baroda. He became the leading run scorer and leading wicket taker for Baroda in the 2016–17 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In 2017, he featured in an India A tri-series victory. He scored 160 and 104 and took 4/40 and 2/19 in a match against Railways in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy. He was named captain of Baroda for the 2019–20 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He played for Warwickshire in the 2022 Royal London One-Day Cup. At the 2016 IPL auction, Mumbai Indians purchased him for ₹2 crore. He made his IPL debut in April 2016. In 2017, he scored 86 from 37 balls and took wickets of Quinton De Kock and Zaheer Khan, winning Player of the Match against Delhi Daredevils. He was Player of the Match in the 2017 final against Rising Pune Supergiant. In January 2018, he was signed by Mumbai Indians in the 2018 IPL auction. In the 2022 IPL auction, he was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8.25 crore. In the 2025 IPL auction, he was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹5.75 crore. He picked up 17 wickets and scored 109 runs in that season and won the Player of the Match award in the final for his bowling performance against Punjab Kings, becoming the first player to win two Player of the Match awards in IPL finals. He made his T20I debut for India on 4 November 2018 against the West Indies. He was selected for the T20I series against Australia and won Player of the Match in the third match for 4/36. He made his ODI debut on 23 March 2021 against England, scoring 58 not out, the fastest fifty on ODI debut. He is the elder brother of Hardik Pandya. He married Pankhuri Sharma on 27 December 2017. They have two sons: Kavir Krunal Pandya (born 18 July 2022) and Vayu Krunal Pandya (born 21 April 2024). In January 2021, Deepak Hooda accused Pandya of using abusive language and threats. On 27 July 2021, he tested positive for COVID-19. In January 2022, his Twitter account was hacked by a Bitcoin scammer.

In Their Own Story

The Mumbai Indians era defined Krunal’s early IPL legacy after being purchased for ₹2 crore at the 2016 auction. He made his debut in April 2016 against Gujarat Lions, but it was 2017 that showcased his match-winning ability. Against Delhi Daredevils at ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam, he struck 86 off just 37 balls and claimed the wickets of Quinton De Kock and Zaheer Khan to earn Player of the Match honors. He continued this consistency throughout the tournament, securing another Player of the Match award in the final against Rising Pune Supergiant with a score of 47. His international breakthrough came in November 2018 during the T20I series against Australia; after conceding 55 runs in one match, he rebounded to take 4 for 36 in four overs in the third match, winning Player of the Match. In March 2021, his ODI debut against England saw him score an unbeaten 58 off 26 balls, setting the record for the fastest half-century on ODI debut.

Reader's Guide

Krunal Pandya is a left-handed batting all-rounder who bowls slow left-arm orthodox. He is known for his consistent performances in the IPL, having won two Player of the Match awards in finals. He made his international debut in T20Is in November 2018 and holds the record for the fastest half-century on ODI debut. He has captained Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

Did You Know?

• Krunal Pandya scored the fastest half-century by a cricketer on ODI debut in March 2021.
• He is the elder brother of Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya.
• He won Player of the Match in the IPL final twice, first in 2017 for Mumbai Indians and later for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025.
• He made his first-class debut for Baroda on 6 October 2016.