Gavaskar backs Krunal Pandya for India T20I return after Bhuvneshwar recall

Sunil Gavaskar said Krunal Pandya deserves consideration for India's T20I side following Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the squad. The former captain praised the left-arm spinner's smart bowling and fielding, noting that Krunal reads batters well and varies his lengths effectively. Gavaskar told JioStar that selectors should focus on current form rather than age when picking players.

Krunal last played for India in 2021 and has featured in 16 IPL matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season, taking 14 wickets and scoring 226 runs. Bhuvneshwar made his T20I comeback after 1,446 days in the rain-shortened fifth match against West Indies in Bengaluru. The veteran seamer replaced injured Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI.

Gavaskar advised the team management to select players who can win World Cups based on their current performances in the IPL and domestic cricket. Krunal has been part of RCB's title-winning squads in 2025 and 2026.