“Miles Ahead”: Ex-BCCI Selector claims Krunal Pandya offers more than Axar Patel – Kris Srikkanth Backs Krunal Pandya for India T20I Recall Over Axar Patel
The Case for a Comeback: Srikkanth Champions Krunal Pandya
The landscape of Indian T20 cricket is constantly shifting, and with the IPL 2026 season reaching its crescendo, the discourse surrounding the national team selection has intensified. Former India Chief Selector Kris Srikkanth has added a significant voice to this debate, firmly advocating for the return of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Krunal Pandya to the Indian T20I squad. Having last represented India in the shortest format in 2021, Pandya’s recent resurgence has caught the eye of experts and fans alike.
A Masterclass in Qualifier 1
Srikkanth’s endorsement came hot on the heels of a dominant performance by RCB against the Gujarat Titans in the first Qualifier of IPL 2026. In a match where RCB secured a massive 92-run victory, Krunal Pandya was instrumental. Contributing 43 runs with the bat and claiming 2 crucial wickets, he proved his utility as a genuine all-rounder capable of changing the complexion of a game.
The match itself was a showcase of RCB’s batting depth. While Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal provided a solid foundation, it was the partnership between Rajat Patidar and Krunal Pandya that took the game away from the Titans. After a cautious start, the duo exploded in the death overs, helping RCB post a formidable record score of 254. Patidar’s blistering 93 off just 33 balls was supported perfectly by Pandya, showcasing the team’s relentless aggressive approach.
The Comparison: Pandya vs. Patel
Perhaps the most provocative part of Srikkanth’s commentary was his direct comparison between Krunal Pandya and current Indian regular Axar Patel. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth did not mince words regarding who he believes is the superior T20 asset at present.
“Krunal Pandya is the real catalyst for RCB with his all-around abilities. He deserves the Indian cap again,” Srikkanth stated. “He is suddenly miles ahead of Axar Patel in the T20 format. If you take the last two IPLs, he’s miles ahead. So Krunal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Patidar deserve a look in the Indian T20I side.”
Crunching the Numbers
Srikkanth’s confidence in Pandya is backed by a consistent run of form throughout the 2026 IPL season. Used effectively as a floater in the batting order, Pandya has provided stability and firepower whenever required. Across 15 matches, he has accumulated 225 runs at an impressive average of 45 and a strike rate of 147, including a half-century. His bowling has been equally vital, claiming 13 wickets with an economy rate of 8.64.
These numbers highlight a player who has matured significantly since his last international appearance. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and middle overs, combined with his capacity to finish innings, makes him a versatile weapon that Srikkanth clearly feels is currently being overlooked by national selectors.
RCB’s Dominance
Beyond the individual praise for Pandya, Srikkanth lauded the collective mindset of the RCB squad. The way they dismantled the Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack—a unit that simply had no answers to the onslaught—was testament to the aggressive philosophy installed in the RCB dressing room. “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,” Srikkanth noted.
With the T20I setup potentially looking for more impact players who can contribute across all three phases of the game, the call for Krunal Pandya’s return seems to be gaining momentum. Whether the selectors heed the advice of the former chief selector remains to be seen, but Krunal Pandya has certainly made his case with a resounding statement on the biggest stage of the IPL.
