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Krunal Pandya in line for India T20I return after Axar Patel’s struggles
Krunal Pandya, who last played a T20I for India in 2021, is being discussed as a potential option for the squad after Axar Patel's recent struggles. Reports cite Krunal's strong IPL form, including 14 wickets in RCB's 2026 title-winning campaign, as reasons for his possible comeback.
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Krunal Pandya in line for India T20I return after Axar Patel’s struggles
Krunal Pandya, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder, is being discussed as a potential option for India's T20I squad as the team management reviews its left-arm spin choices. The consideration comes after Axar Patel produced what one report described as "modest returns" across India's recent assignments against England and Ireland, prompting the management to reassess its options, according to a report in the Times of India.
Krunal, who last played for India in a T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2021, has been in contention due to his performances in the IPL. The 35-year-old had an exceptional run with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their 2026 IPL-winning campaign, finishing the season with 14 wickets at an economy rate of 41 and 226 runs at a strike rate of 81. This was his best IPL season in the five-year period from 2022 to 2026, during which he scored 839 runs and took 56 wickets overall.
Axar, on the other hand, took just four wickets in his last six T20I matches against Ireland and England, with one report noting that conditions in those countries may not have been favorable for spinners. Over the same five IPL seasons, Axar accumulated 1,136 runs and claimed 48 wickets, showing greater batting output while Krunal contributed more wickets.
International Comparisons
Krunal's international career has been limited to ODIs and T20Is, with 130 runs in five ODIs and 124 runs in 19 T20Is, along with two ODI wickets and 15 T20I wickets. Axar has represented India in all three formats, with significantly higher numbers: 688 Test runs, 918 ODI runs and 750 T20I runs, as well as 57 Test wickets, 80 ODI wickets and 101 T20I wickets across 15 Tests, 74 ODIs and 101 T20Is.
While Axar has a clear advantage in overall international numbers, Krunal's recent IPL bowling form provides a strong argument for his potential return to the T20I setup, as reported by Cricket Addictor.
Upcoming Fixtures and Context
India, under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, has T20I fixtures lined up against Afghanistan and West Indies. These matches could provide a platform for Krunal's potential comeback, as reported by NewsBytes. The team management is exploring alternatives in the left-arm spin department after Axar's returns remained underwhelming across the seven matches he played against England and Ireland.
Krunal has been a key player in the IPL, scoring 1,982 runs at a strike rate of 82 and taking 107 wickets at an economy rate of 57, according to NewsBytes. His experience and recent form could make him a strong contender for selection as India continues to build its T20I team.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimKrunal Pandya last played for India in a T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2021.
ClaimAxar Patel produced modest returns across India's recent assignments against England and Ireland, prompting the management to reassess its left-arm spin options.
ClaimIndia are exploring alternatives in the left-arm spin department after Axar's returns remained underwhelming across the seven matches he played against England and Ireland.
ClaimThe all-rounder has not played a T20I for India since the 2021 series against Sri Lanka, but his performances in the IPL have kept him in contention.
ClaimAxar Patel has a clear advantage in overall international numbers, while Krunal Pandya's recent IPL bowling form provides a strong argument for his potential return to India's T20I setup.