IPL: Krunal Pandya living a dream with Mumbai Indians and scores important fifty

Mumbai Indians bowler Krunal Pandya, left, celebrates after he dismissing Delhi Daredevils captain Zaheer Khan at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on May 15, 2016. Show more

Mumbai Indians 206 for 4 (Pandya 86, Guptill 48, Morris 2-34)

Delhi Daredevils 126 (de Kock 40, Bumrah 3-13)

Mumbai beat Delhi by 80 runs.

Krunal Pandya seems to be in a tearing hurry.

Older brother to upcoming Indian international Hardik, he was an unknown quantity until the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season.

Few outside his native Gujarat knew what to expect from the all-rounder despite the media coverage he received after being drafted, along with Hardik, to play for Mumbai Indians.

But halfway through the season, anyone paying attention to the IPL has a pretty good idea.

Krunal has overshadowed Hardik with his vicious hitting of the leather ball and useful left-arm spin to become the go-to guy whenever Mumbai need quick runs or a wicket.

It is not just that he has scored cameos with regularity, the manner in which he has gone about his batting – with a sense of urgency, like the world is going to end – has also captured the public imagination.

Add to that, his awkward batting style and the fact that his younger, and more gifted, brother has already played for India while he has yet to win an international cap will have endeared him to those who like the underdog story.

It could possibly be why he bats like he is in a rush.

On Sunday night, Krunal continued chasing his dreams as he pounded six sixes and seven fours en route to a 37-ball 86 to help Mumbai post 206 for four after being sent in by Delhi Daredevils at Visakhapatnam.

Delhi were bowled out for 126 with Krunal taking two wickets, including that of Quinton de Kock, as Mumbai jumped to third place in the table.

A memorable moment in the game was when Krunal pointed to his biceps while looking in the direction of Mumbai’s dug-out after reaching his fifty.

“The gesture was to my brother Hardik,” he said after being named man of the match.

The gesture may have been a way for the 25-year-old player to tell his out-of-form sibling that he had finally arrived on the big stage and, perhaps, cheekily asking him to man up and get back in the line-up.

One other sentiment was amply clear, however. “I want to dedicate this innings to my parents and Hardik,” he said.

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