Krunal Pandya’s Early Struggles: Living on Maggi for 3 Years
Mumbai Indians (MI) owner Nita Ambani recently shared an emotional story about Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya’s struggles before making it big in cricket. The Pandya brothers survived on Maggi noodles for three years due to extreme financial hardships before Mumbai Indians discovered their talent.
“They had no money and lived on Maggi for three years. But I saw their spirit and hunger for success. Those two brothers were Krunal and Hardik Pandya.” — Nita Ambani
Mumbai Indians’ Scouting and Krunal’s IPL Debut
Mumbai Indians’ strong scouting team identified Krunal and Hardik’s potential, leading to their selection in the IPL. Krunal made his debut in 2016 for Mumbai Indians, quickly proving his all-round skills and playing a crucial role in multiple title wins.
| Year | Event | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hardik Pandya bought for $10,000 | Mumbai Indians |
| 2016 | Krunal Pandya bought for Rs. 2 crore | Mumbai Indians |
| 2017 | IPL Title Win | Mumbai Indians |
| 2018 | India T20I Debut | Indian National Team |
| 2022 | Joined Lucknow Super Giants | IPL |
Since his debut, Krunal has built a reputation as a reliable left-arm spinner and aggressive middle-order batter.
Krunal Pandya Joins RCB in IPL 2025 Auction
At the IPL 2025 auction, Krunal Pandya secured a contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs. 5.75 crore. He had a base price of INR 2 crore, and Rajasthan Royals also entered the bidding but backed out after INR 4.80 crore.
Krunal Pandya IPL 2025 Auction Details
| Player | Team | Base Price | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krunal Pandya | RCB | Rs. 2 crore | Rs. 5.75 crore |
Krunal’s addition to RCB strengthens their squad as he brings experience, balance, and the ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Krunal Pandya’s Career Stats (International & IPL)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Avg | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 19 | 124 | 24.80 | 15 |
| ODI | 5 | 130 | 65.00 | 2 |
| IPL | 113 | 1400+ | 22.22 | 69 |
Krunal Pandya’s inspiring journey from financial hardships to playing for top IPL teams showcases his determination and skill. With his new role at RCB, he will aim to make a significant impact in IPL 2025 and push for a national team comeback.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Krunal Pandya’s IPL journey!
