“Miles Ahead”: Ex-BCCI Selector claims Krunal Pandya offers more than Axar Patel – Kris Srikkanth Backs Krunal Pandya Over Axar Patel for India T20I Recall

The Case for Krunal Pandya’s T20I Return

In the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, consistency and adaptability are the hallmarks of a champion player. Following a stellar performance in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dismantled the Gujarat Titans, former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has made a bold assertion. He believes that Krunal Pandya, an integral cog in the RCB wheel, is currently the best all-rounder in the country and deserves a recall to the national T20I side.

The Performance That Sparked the Debate

The call for Pandya’s return comes after an authoritative victory for RCB, where they posted a mammoth total of 254 runs. Krunal Pandya was at the heart of this success, contributing a vital 43 runs with the bat and picking up two crucial wickets. His ability to act as a floater in the batting order, combined with his disciplined left-arm spin, has made him a versatile asset for the Bengaluru franchise throughout the 2026 season.

Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel, didn’t mince words regarding the current hierarchy of Indian all-rounders. “Krunal Pandya is the real catalyst for RCB with his all-around abilities. He deserves the Indian cap again. He played long back, but they dropped him. This is the right time to give him a chance again,” Srikkanth emphasized.

Statistical Dominance Over Axar Patel

Perhaps the most controversial part of Srikkanth’s statement is the direct comparison to Axar Patel. According to the former selector, the data over the last two IPL seasons places Pandya significantly ahead in the shortest format. “He is suddenly miles ahead of Axar Patel in the T20 format. If you take the last two IPLs, he’s miles ahead,” Srikkanth added, suggesting that the selectors must look beyond the current incumbents to bolster the squad.

A look at Pandya’s 2026 campaign supports the narrative of him being in prime form. Across 15 matches, he has accumulated 225 runs, maintaining an impressive average of 45 and a strike rate of 147. His bowling has been equally effective, with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 8.64. These numbers illustrate a player who has found a balance between aggressive batting and restrictive bowling.

A Complete Team Effort

While Krunal’s individual brilliance is undeniable, the RCB setup as a whole has been playing with a fearless intent. During the Qualifier 1 match, the partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal laid a strong foundation, but it was the late-order explosion from Rajat Patidar—who scored an unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls—that broke the spirits of the Gujarat Titans bowlers.

The chase for Gujarat never gained momentum. The batting lineup crumbled under pressure, losing five wickets in the powerplay. Jacob Duffy starred with three wickets, while Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Rasikh Salam shared the remaining damage equally. Srikkanth praised this collective mindset, noting, “The RCB batters are demolishing the bowling in such a way that the bowling side and the bowling captain don’t know what to do.”

Looking Ahead

With his recent form and the backing of cricketing legends, Krunal Pandya has certainly put his name back in the hat for national selection. Whether the BCCI selectors agree with Srikkanth remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the veteran all-rounder has proven his mettle on the biggest stage of domestic cricket. If the goal is to build a team that can handle pressure and contribute in all three facets of the game, Pandya’s name is likely to be discussed in the upcoming selection meetings.

Alongside Pandya, Srikkanth also identified Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rajat Patidar as players who deserve a closer look for the Indian T20I side, signaling a potential shift in how the selectors might prioritize experienced performers who are peaking at the right time.