The IPL 2022 mega auction is garnering quite an interest from all over the cricketing world. As many as 590 players will be up for grabs when the auction happens on February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru.
This IPL 2022 will be a 10-team event and the BCCI is trying hard to host the entire tournament in India itself, expected to be played from the last week of March to May.
Ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, Baroda and former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Krunal Pandya spoke about why the IPL franchises should put their money on him. He was not retained by Mumbai Indians, despite winning three IPL titles with the franchise.
"Krunal Pandya will win you games - 100%. It is not me being over-confident or cocky. It is just self-belief. I am a team man. I always play to win championships,” Krunal Pandya told ESPNCricinfo in an interview.
Krunal has entered the IPL 2022 auction with a base price of Rs 2 crores and will be one of the players to watch out for. The 30-year-old has 1143 runs and 51 wickets in 84 matches.
Furthermore, Krunal spoke about younger brother Hardik Pandya, who will captain the Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Titans team in the upcoming IPL 2022.
Talking about whether he would join Hardik in the Ahmedabad team this year, Krunal told ESPNCricinfo: “I don’t know if he (Hardik Pandya) wants me, he can pick me from the auction or I am happy to go anywhere where I can.”
“He has all the qualities, he has been a leader in self-playing for Mumbai (Indians) and Indian cricket (team) as well. I am so happy that he has got this opportunity because people will see his real leadership qualities going forward. He has all the things to be that leader because he is that character who likes to lead the side whether he is captain or not. So I think he will do a terrific job and I am excited about it,” Krunal said about Hardik’s captaincy and leadership skills.
Krunal Pandya was named in Baroda’s Ranji Trophy squad while Hardik has made himself unavailable for selection, preparing himself for a comeback into India's white-ball setup.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
