Krunal Pandya no longer plays like most of the finger spinners in the Indian Premier League. On flat pitches where eight batsmen awaited, he had to change not only his skills but also his way of thinking.
At the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, he showed what that change looks like. Figures 4-0-26-1 in a 240 run game they do not immediately stand out, but tell their own story. When he was bowling, the chase never really opened up. There was always something holding it back.
Krunal’s method is not built on fixed plans. It’s about reading the moment and trusting his instinct.
“I’m someone who goes with my gut. I don’t plan ahead that I’m going to want to throw the fourth, fifth or sixth ball (as a) bouncer. There are days when I’ll throw two bouncers back-to-back and suddenly I’ll be throwing the first ball and the sixth ball,” he said.
One of his markers became a bouncer, unusual for a left-hander. It’s not something he uses for effect. He uses it when he feels the batter isn’t expecting it.
“But yeah, it’s more the feel of what ball I’m hitting, and I’m 100 percent committed to it. People tend to talk a lot about my bouncers and balls that look quite different and funny.”
This trust in instinct comes from constant adaptation. The league changed and he had to keep up.
“I’ve never shied away from trying different and new things because with the Impact Player rule, you used to have No. 6 or 7 as all-rounders and the batting was quite different. But now there’s clean batting at No. 8,” Krunal said.
“and plus the skill sets, young guys like Mukul (Choudhary) and Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) are consistently batting from ball one. As a bowler, I want to be one step ahead in terms of skill and mental part.”
It’s not just about adding variations. It’s also about accepting how hard the job has become for a bowler like him.
“I’m glad it’s coming out well and I hope there are finger spinners in this format who survive and who can take something from it and do well. Because for (a) finger spinner who has flat tracks and eight overs, it’s very difficult,” he added.
Under the changes, the basics have remained the same. Line and length control. Subtle tempo changes. Using height to bounce. Confident flight when needed.
“But I’ve always worked on the fundamentals of my bowling and if you see I’m tall and I’ve been able to bounce back, (also) I’ve been able to get batsmen out with spin and deception on the fly,” he said.
Krunal also made it clear that playing for India remains his main goal even as he focuses on consistent performance.
“The ultimate goal is to represent the country and I’m not too concerned about that. I want to continue to do what I have in my hands, which is to go out there and perform and win games. And in the process, if I get that opportunity, I’ll be really happy because that’s the ultimate goal, to play for the country,” he said.
Krunal’s spell against Mumbai Indians was built on these foundations with minor changes. Here’s a faster one. There is a slower, wider line. A ball that held its line. A ball that sped on. Nothing dramatic, but enough to keep the batter from settling.
Therein lies its power. Not in one take, but in that it’s not an easy read.
In a format that constantly pushes bowlers to the edge, Krunal has found a way to stay relevant by remaining flexible. He doesn’t try to overpower the batsman. Ball after ball he tries to stay one step ahead of them.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
14 Apr 2026 17:50 IST
