Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to international cricket on Saturday after nearly four years. The 36-year-old was part of the India XI for the final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to play, with the game getting washed out due to rain.

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has backed Kumar’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Krunal Pandya to make his national return as well.

The 35-year-old last played for the Men in Blues during the 2021 tour of Sri Lanka. The all-rounder has been a key member for his IPL side and helped them win two successive titles.

“Outstanding cricketer, one of the smartest we have seen in a while. You can see it with his bowling. He doesn’t turn the ball big, but manages to mix his lines and length very smartly.

He reads the minds of the batters. You can also see him bowl the odd bouncer. Krunal is always thinking and plotting how to get a batter out or at least restrict him,” Gavaskar said.

“Even as a batter and a fielder, he is a very outstanding cricketer, and I believe if you want to win the World Cup, you have to go with players who can help you win the tournament.”

The 1983 World Cup winner also urged the selectors to look past the player’s age. “I don’t look at their age.

If they are playing the IPL and domestic matches, it means players are fit. They should be picked for the Indian side, and that’s how one has to go about it.”

The Baroda-born star will be seen leading the Indian side in the upcoming Hong Kong sixes tournament starting on 30th October. He was last seen playing for RCB in the IPL final against Gujarat Titans, where he took the wicket of Jos Buttler and also scored one run.

What are Krunal Pandya’s numbers so far?

Having made his T20I debut in 2018, the all-rounder has played 19 international matches, scoring 124 runs and also taking 15 wickets.

He has also played five ODI games, all of which came in 2021, scoring 130 runs and taking two wickets with the ball.