EXCLUSIVE| ‘I’m hopeful’: RCB’s Krunal Pandya eyes India comeback after five-year absence

Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Krunal Pandya has said he still has hopes of returning to India despite being out of the national team for nearly five years.Playing a key role in RCB’s successful IPL 2026 title defense, Krunal has contributed with both bat and ball during the season. He scored 226 runs at a strike rate of 145.80 and picked up 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.41 as RCB won their second consecutive IPL title. The 34-year-old last represented India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in Colombo on July 25, 2021. He has since played for Lucknow Super Giants and RCB in the IPL.In an interview with Tech Word News, Krunal said that representing India remains the greatest achievement of any cricketer.“There is no better feeling than playing for the country. When I was six or seven years old, there was no IPL. Every cricketer’s biggest dream was to play for India. I dreamed of it all my life and I got this opportunity in 2018. I did well in the 18 matches I played. I won the man of the match in Australia and New Zealand. Later I had a good run in India with the Indian team in the West of the Series. I got an opportunity in one-day cricket I did well again.”While admitting that being out of the national side can be disappointing, Krunal said he tries not to focus too much on selection and instead remembers why he started playing cricket.“I don’t think much about selection now. Of course, I’m human and sometimes I get disappointed. But you have to remember why you started playing cricket. I have immense love for the sport and that’s what keeps me going.”Asked if he still believes he can return to the Indian team, Krunal made it clear that hope remains alive.“Yeah, there’s always hope, right? I hope I get the opportunity to play for the country again. Fingers crossed, but I’m hopeful.” Read the full interview here