Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya Are Set To Break A Long Wait
Feb 4, 2019 at 10:16 PM
It is always special when brothers play in the same international matches. The Indian national cricket team last time saw this unique image back in 2012 as Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan played together in a T20I game. However, now, it seems like India’s wait is going over soon as Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya can be India’s next brother group to play an international match together.
The brief story on Pathan brothers
The Baroda cricketers Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan both were dashing cricketers during their golden times. The brother duo first time played in together in international cricket during the historic 2007 ICC World T20 final at Johannesburg. Yusuf Pathan, the elder brother, made his international debut in that game where India beat Pakistan and won that tournament. Meanwhile, the elder brother Irfan Pathan was well experienced in international cricket as he made the debut in December 2003.
Pathan brothers have played 16 international matches (eight ODIs and eight T20Is) in together. On 30 March 2012, Pathan brothers played for the last time in together in international cricket. Though they are still active players, their international careers haven’t progressed since 2012.
Pandya brothers are ready to end the wait
Since then, the Indian national cricket team has never experienced this brotherhood. However, now there is a high chance to finish this wait as Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya both are in the squad for the T20I series in New Zealand. After the completion of five-match ODI series, India will now play the three-match T20I series against the hosts New Zealand, starting on 6 February.
Incidentally, the Pandya brothers are also from Baroda. Though Krunal Pandya is the elder in relation, Hardik Pandya is more experienced in international cricket.
The 25-year-old Hardik Pandya made his international debut in January 2016. As a pace-bowling all-rounder, the younger brother is very famous in recent international cricket. He has already played 11 Tests, 45 ODIs and 35 T20Is.
On the other hand, the 27-year-old Krunal Pandya is a very newcomer in international cricket. The spin-bowling all-rounder made international debut in last November. While he has played six T20Is, he also impressed in limited opportunities.
Since Krunal Pandya has joined with the team, it is the first time when both the Pandya brothers are in the national squad. So, it is an excellent opportunity to end a long wait of Indian national cricket team. However, the team management has to select both of them in the playing XI to end this wait.
Since 2016, the Pandya brothers are playing together for the IPL team Mumbai Indians.