Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain, has backed Krunal Pandya to make his India comeback, like his Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar just did. Kumar, who last played for India in 2022, was recently included in the Indian XI for the fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru.
Bhuvneshwar will also be seen in action when India tours New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is, apart from five ODIs and two Tests as well.
Sunil Gavaskar believed that another RCB player needed to be the next to return to India, bearing in mind the T20I squad. And it's none other than Krunal Pandya.
The all-rounder played a critical role in Bengaluru's IPL title victories in 2025 and 2026, contributing with both bat and ball at pivotal moments.
In 16 games during the 2026 season, Krunal claimed 14 wickets with an economy rate of 8.45 and an average of 30.35. He made 226 runs with the bat, including a fifty against the Mumbai Indians, his old team.
Gavaskar explained how Krunal is a good cricketer, particularly when it comes to bowling. The great Indian cricketer explained how he is good enough to limit the batting side, prevent scoring runs, and take wickets as well.
"Outstanding cricketer, really one of the smart cricketers that we've seen. Somebody you see is bowling. He's not a big turner of the ball, but he mixes his line and mixes his lengths so smartly that he reads the batter's mind and bowls at the pads. You've seen him bowl the odd bouncer as well, so he's always thinking and plotting against the batter, if not to get him out, at least to restrict him," said Gavaskar on JioStar.
In addition to praising Krunal's batting and fielding, Gavaskar stated that India should select players who are suitable for the task, regardless of age, if they are aiming for World Cups.
"And then as a batter, as a fielder in the deep, he's an outstanding cricketer, and I do believe that if you want to win the World Cups, you just go with the guys who you think will win the World Cup. Don't look at their age. That's not the point. If they're playing in the IPL, they're fit. If they're playing domestic cricket, they are fit, and if they've performed in that, you pick them in the India team. That's how you should go about it," said Gavaskar.
Krunal Pandya, who last played for India in 2021 on their Sri Lanka tour, has played 5 ODIs and 19 T20Is for India, having made his debut in 2018.
