After making a dream ODI debut against England, Krunal Pandya was interviewed by his younger brother and Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya at the MCA Stadium in Pune. It was an emotional day for the Pandya brothers as both the brothers featured in an ODI together for the first time.
Century stand
Half centuries for @klrahul11 & @krunalpandya24
300+ on the boardBrilliant batting display from #TeamIndia as they post 317/5 in 50 overs. @Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/9iU3lmZQBz
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 23, 2021
To make the debut more special, Krunal was handed his ODI cap by brother Hardik as the left-hander got emotional. Later, he made an impressive debut and notched up a brilliant half-century, and dedicated the knock to his late father by pointing the bat towards the sky. Krunal later broke down in an interview when asked about his knock and dedicated the knock to his father, who passed away in January.
After India’s win, Hardik interviewed Krunal and praised him for his amazing show on his debut before the duo talked about their father. During the interview, Krunal revealed:
“Not many people know, our father is actually with us in our dressing room,”
He added:
“He passed away on 16th morning and I was playing Syed Mushtaq Ali on that day so he had a habit of keeping his clothes ready at night for the next day. So what I did was I got his bag from Baroda here. I know he’s not with us but at least I have the clothes which he was supposed to wear to watch that game, I thought I’ll keep it in the dressing room,”
? Our father was with us in dressing room: Pandya brothers @hardikpandya7 interviews @krunalpandya24 post his emotional knock on ODI debut. This has all our heart ?- By @RajalArora #TeamIndia #INDvENG @Paytm
Watch the full interview ? ?https://t.co/yoDGXVi2aK pic.twitter.com/4JrsxtejgC
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 24, 2021
Later, Krunal took to his social media and shared a heartfelt post. He shared a few pictures of his father’s belongings in his dressing room. Sharing the pictures, he revealed that his father used to keep his clothes and other essentials ready for the next day and he carried his father’s clothes with him during his ODI debut to feel his presence even more strongly. He wrote:
“My father would always keep the clothes he’d wear for our matches ready the previous night. This was what he was going to wear for my match on Jan 16, the day he left us. I carried it with me in the dressing room to feel his presence even more strongly during my ODI debut. And now I know, that he was always there by my side, guiding me and cheering me on. Thank you everyone for your wishes, they mean the world to me”
Here, check out the post:
And now I know, that he was always there by my side, guiding me and cheering me on. Thank you everyone for your wishes, they mean the world to me
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— Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) March 24, 2021
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