Krunal Pandya posts 'Hope is still alive' after T20I snub

Krunal Pandya has sparked attention on social media after being overlooked for India's upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. Soon after the squad was announced, the all-rounder shared a cryptic Instagram post that read 'Hope is still alive', alongside a fingers-crossed emoji and the Indian flag.

Krunal has made 130 runs in five matches and four innings at an average of 65.00 and a strike rate of 101.56, with one fifty and best score of 58*. The all-rounder is on the BCCI's radar for possible selection as a replacement for Axar Patel.

While Krunal did not directly refer to his omission, the post was widely viewed as a message that he has not given up on his India ambitions. Jasprit Bumrah is set to rejoin the team, contingent on a positive fitness assessment concerning his knee injury.