'Hope is still alive', Krunal Pandya's pain over not getting a place in Team India

by

Delhi: The Indian team has been announced for the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan. Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the team, but experienced all-rounder Krunal Pandya once again did not get a place. After this, Krunal made a post on social media, which made it clear that his hopes of returning to the Indian team are not over yet.

Shortly after the team's announcement, Krunal wrote on social media, “Hope is still alive.” This small message of his said a lot. 35 year old Krunal has been trying to make a comeback in the Indian T20 team for a long time.

Also read: Hardik will not leave MI! But the captaincy will go, this player can get the command

Had a great performance in IPL 2026

Krunal last played for India in the T20 series against Sri Lanka in 2021. After this he was dropped from the team, but his performance in IPL 2026 once again caught the attention of the selectors.

While playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Krunal took 14 wickets in the entire season. His ability to bat with left-arm spin makes him a useful option for the team.

In the recent T20 series, India has tried many options for this role. In the total of 7 T20 matches played against Ireland and England, Akshar Patel played in all the matches, but he took only 4 wickets to his name. Despite this, the selectors did not call Krunal back for the Afghanistan series.

Bumrah's return, keeping an eye on fitness of 4 players

Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the team for the series against Afghanistan. However, his playing will depend on fitness clearance.

Bumrah was out of the team after suffering a knee injury during the ODI series against England. After this, the BCCI medical team advised him rest, due to which he could not even play the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also subject to fitness clearance. All three have been troubled by injuries recently and are currently under the Return to Play protocol.

Hardik Pandya also out of the team

Hardik Pandya has also not got a place in the team for the Afghanistan series. While preparing for his comeback at the BCCI Center of Excellence, his bowling was put on hold due to a slight problem in his leg.

Hardik has not played any competitive match since playing an IPL match for Mumbai Indians on 24 May. His last match for India was the final of the T20 World Cup on March 8.

The series will start from September 13

The three-match T20 series between India and Afghanistan will start from September 13. The second match will be played on 15 September and the third match on 17 September. All three matches will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Also read: Team India announced for T20 series against Afghanistan, these star players including Bumrah returned

India's team for T20 series against Afghanistan

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Shivam Dubey, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana*.

Leave a Comment