As discussions about Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s possible return to the Indian team gained momentum, fans began debating which other experienced players deserved another opportunity to represent the country.
Mohammed Shami was among the names frequently mentioned. After working hard on the domestic circuit, the veteran fast bowler has made a strong case for consideration. However, his international future will depend on India’s new selection committee and whether he fits into its plans.
Recent selections indicate that the selectors are willing to make bold decisions. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer returned to domestic cricket and continued to perform in the IPL, helping them re-enter India’s plans. Shreyas is now captaining a team being prepared to defend its T20 World Cup title in 2028. Bhuvneshwar’s return has also demonstrated that experience remains valuable and age does not necessarily prevent a player from being selected.
Another name now entering the discussion is Krunal Pandya.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder has steadily strengthened his case through his IPL performances. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has also supported selecting players on merit instead of allowing age to influence decisions. He described Krunal as one of the smartest cricketers in India at present.
Gavaskar said teams aiming to win World Cups should select the players they believe can deliver those victories, without worrying about their age. He added that players who remain fit and perform well in the IPL and domestic cricket should be considered for the national team.
The key question is whether Krunal can turn his IPL form into an India comeback. Former India spinner Murali Kartik believes the 35-year-old should not be excluded from consideration simply because of his age.
WHY NOT KRUNAL?
Krunal’s career statistics provide a foundation for his case. He has taken 107 wickets in 158 IPL matches at an economy rate of 7.57. However, his recent performances suggest that his contribution extends beyond his overall career numbers.
After a few respectable seasons with Lucknow Super Giants, Krunal assumed greater responsibility at RCB by leading the spin attack. He responded by taking 31 wickets in 31 matches across the past two seasons, demonstrating his ability to adapt his bowling to the demands of T20 cricket.
His development has been particularly noticeable in the variations he uses. Krunal has combined quicker deliveries and bouncers to unsettle batters with flatter, slower balls intended to restrict their scoring options and disrupt their rhythm. His approach relies on variation, control and anticipating the batter’s intentions.
This tactical flexibility helped him record an economy rate of 8.41 across the last two IPL seasons, according to the figures cited in the report. That was better than the corresponding figures for established spinners such as Varun Chakravarthy, Rashid Khan and Kuldeep Yadav.
For Kartik, the main consideration is what Krunal is delivering now, rather than how old he is.
During a virtual interaction organised by Sony Sports Network, Kartik said he had never believed age should determine a player’s prospects. If someone is playing well, he argued, that should be the deciding factor. He also cautioned against focusing too much on the future while overlooking present performances, referring to the emphasis on living in the present found in Indian scriptures.
Kartik added that Krunal should remain in contention if India need his services. He pointed out that the all-rounder had been named Player of the Match during RCB’s title-winning campaign the previous year.
Krunal’s value is not limited to his wicket tally. His ability to restrict runs and build pressure is equally important in a format where batters are constantly looking to attack.
Despite taking 14 wickets in 16 matches last season, his influence extended beyond the number of dismissals. According to ESPNcricinfo’s bowling-impact metric, Krunal ranked 18th, highlighting the value of his performances even when he was not consistently taking wickets.
Kartik believes the ability to restrict batters and force errors is often underestimated when teams evaluate bowlers in T20 cricket.
He questioned the emphasis on simply looking for wickets in a format where conventional close-catching positions such as slips, gully, short leg and silly point are generally absent. Instead, he explained, wickets often come from building pressure, outsmarting batters and staying ahead of their plans.
THE FEISTY KRUNAL
Krunal’s case for selection is based on more than his bowling. He also brings intensity, competitiveness and the kind of all-round contribution that can prove valuable in high-pressure matches.
The all-rounder has demonstrated a willingness to put his body on the line for his team. During RCB’s victory in Raipur, he battled cramps and absorbed blows while trying to help his side secure the win.
His batting has also contributed significantly. Krunal scored 226 runs last season at a strike rate of 145.80, hitting 20 fours and 11 sixes.
His combination of aggression, resilience and tactical awareness makes him an interesting option for India.
Kartik described Krunal as an intelligent and combative cricketer, adding that players need that level of determination when competing in the middle. He reiterated that age had never been a deciding factor for him.
AXAR PATEL THE BIGGEST ROADBLOCK?
One of the biggest obstacles to Krunal’s potential return is Axar Patel, who has established himself as an important part of India’s team. The left-arm spinner provides control during the powerplay, regularly threatens to take wickets and contributes valuable runs lower down the batting order.
Axar’s recent performances make the competition even more challenging. He has claimed 31 wickets in 27 matches this year and continues to offer the all-round balance India value in T20 cricket.
India also have other options. Washington Sundar provides off-spin, while Naman Dhir has been used as another potential off-spinning all-rounder. Krunal would therefore need to demonstrate that he offers something the current combination does not already provide.
Kartik highlighted Axar’s effectiveness with the new ball as a major reason why replacing him with a similar player would be difficult. He noted that Axar delivers strong powerplay figures in both economy rate and wicket-taking, making him an important left-arm spinning all-rounder.
Kartik also explained that India have been looking for an off-spinning all-rounder, which is where Naman Dhir has fitted into the team’s plans.
This leaves Krunal competing not only with other spinners but also with players who already fulfil specific roles in India’s combination. His path back to the national team could depend on whether the selectors want an experienced all-rounder capable of contributing with both bat and ball instead of another specialist.
Krunal has the experience, fitness and tactical understanding to make a case for selection. However, whether India need his particular skill set remains a separate question. If the selection committee follows Gavaskar’s advice and prioritises current form over age, the possibility of a comeback remains open.
Like Bhuvneshwar, Krunal could find himself back in contention for India if he continues to deliver strong performances.
