Krunal Pandya is a paradox in the world of T20 cricket. He doesn’t possess the flashy attributes often associated with top bowlers – no massive turn, no mystery deliveries, and a seemingly unassuming action. Yet, time and again, he delivers in crucial moments, proving his immense value to champion sides. This was never more evident than in the recent IPL Final, where his performance cemented his status as a truly impactful player.
Despite a lack of conventional “wow” factors, Krunal’s effectiveness stems from a precisely tailored skill set for T20s. He bowls at the ideal pace, possesses pinpoint accuracy, and exhibits a remarkable understanding of where to land the ball. This tactical acumen, coupled with a fiercely competitive spirit, makes him a formidable opponent.
His high pace and precise lengths make him virtually immune to the sweep shot, a common weapon against spinners. Throughout the IPL, he conceded a mere 65 runs to all variations of the sweep, outperforming nine other spinners. In the final, two sweep attempts against him yielded no runs. This forces batters to either wait for an error or attempt to manipulate his length by moving around the crease.
The Art of Deception ft. Krunal Pandya
Krunal’s true genius lies in his ability to read batters and adapt on the fly. When a subdued Prabhsimran Singh decided to step out, Krunal cannily delivered his slowest ball, also going wide, knowing Prabhsimran likes to create room when charging. This 81.49 kph delivery turned significantly, leaving Prabhsimran stranded. Conversely, against Josh Inglis, Punjab Kings’ top batter, Krunal opted for aggression, bowling his second 100 kph-plus delivery to cramp Inglis for room. Both instances resulted in wickets, showcasing his strategic brilliance.
His 4-0-17-2 spell in the final, bowling unchanged after Royal Challengers Bengaluru were restricted to 190, was a masterclass in control. He overpitched only once – and that was a yorker. The consistent short-of-a-length deliveries meant batters couldn’t score freely without taking risks. Only one delivery out of 20 to right-handers pitched wide.
While he occasionally errs on the shorter side, in T20 cricket, this is often the lesser of two evils. His solitary boundary conceded was from a slightly short, very slow delivery, perhaps a rare misjudgment in his attempt to impart significant turn. His pace varied from 79.88 to 108.33 kph, demonstrating his willingness to experiment.
Coach Andy Flower highlighted Krunal’s temperament and big-match experience as key reasons for his acquisition, qualities he immediately repaid. With four IPL titles to his name, Krunal Pandya continues to prove that impact isn’t always about flash, but about consistent, intelligent execution.
