Even in IPL 2024, where he picked up just six wickets, his economy remained steady at 7, which was commendable in a season dominated by aggressive batting.
A total of 574 players have registered for the IPL 2025 auction, and Krunal Pandya is one of them, with his base price set at INR 2 crore.
Known as one of the best Indian all-rounders in the IPL, Krunal joined the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 auction for INR 8.25 crore. Over the course of 43 matches for LSG, he scored 504 runs and took 25 wickets.
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Krunal has maintained an impressive economy rate of around 7 in the middle overs, making him a reliable option in the IPL.
Even in IPL 2024, where he picked up just six wickets, his economy remained steady at 7, which was commendable in a season dominated by aggressive batting.
Released by LSG ahead of the auction, Krunal is still expected to attract interest from teams looking for a reliable all-rounder.
Let’s look at the 4 teams that will target Krunal Pandya at IPL 2025 auction.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained five key players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Last season, Glenn Phillips was part of their squad but couldn’t make it to the playing XI due to the presence of four other top overseas players. Washington Sundar, despite his potential, only managed to play two matches due to poor performance. Shahbaz Ahmed, who had a decent season, struggled with a high economy rate, leading SRH to release all three players ahead of the auction.
Heading into the auction, SRH will likely target Krunal Pandya to bring stability to their team. With his economical bowling and ability to contribute with the bat in the middle order, Krunal fits the profile SRH needs. As an Indian all-rounder, he offers versatility and an edge over overseas players, making him a strong candidate to strengthen both their batting and bowling departments.
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Krunal Pandya could reunite with his brother Hardik Pandya at the Mumbai Indians, where he had a successful stint from 2016 to 2021. Krunal was instrumental in MI’s success, contributing 1143 runs and claiming 51 wickets in 84 matches. With MI releasing Piyush Chawla, their primary spinner last season, and struggling to find quality domestic spinners in recent years, Krunal’s inclusion could address a critical gap in the squad.
Mumbai Indians could consider bringing Krunal back to bolster their all-rounder options. His familiarity with the team’s culture and history as a dependable performer make him a strong candidate. Additionally, MI’s emphasis on experienced domestic players aligns well with Krunal’s profile, potentially making him a key asset for their lineup.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru have retained only three players before the auction, with Yash Dayal being their only bowler. In the upcoming auction, they will likely focus on strengthening their squad, particularly in the spin bowling and all-rounder departments.
Last season, Glenn Maxwell underperformed with both bat and ball, while Mahipal Lomror also failed to make an impact. Swapnil Singh showed some promise but didn’t quite meet expectations. As a result, RCB released all three players before the auction.
They may now target Krunal Pandya, an experienced Indian all-rounder, as he could bring much-needed stability to the middle order. Krunal’s ability to bowl with an economy rate of 7-8 and his skills with the bat could make him a valuable addition to RCB’s lineup.
Lucknow Super Giants have retained five players from last season and still have one Right to Match (RTM) card available. They might use it on either Marcus Stoinis or Krunal Pandya. Although Krunal didn’t perform at his best in IPL 2024, his economy rate was better than many bowlers, and his ability to contribute with the bat in the middle order makes him a valuable option. With Lucknow’s pitches favoring spinners, LSG might consider bringing him back.
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The decision to release Krunal could be a strategy to buy him at a lower price in the auction instead of retaining him for a higher amount. This move also allows LSG to use their RTM card for Marcus Stoinis, giving them more flexibility in the auction.
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