Watch: An emotional Krunal Pandya, on ODI debut, was reduced to tears during a mid-innings interview in the first game against England.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match awards, player interviews, analysis and much more.
Krunal, who notched up the fastest fifty by an ODI debutant, was emotionally charged throughout his time in the middle. His most soul-stirring moment came in the mid-match interview with Murali Kartik, after an impressive unbeaten knock.
The Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal lost their father earlier this year, and the debutant felt his absence during a big moment of his career.
“This one is for my father,” he said in the interview, before breaking down. He was later seen hugging his sibling in an attempt to regain his composure.
Krunal also raised his cap to the skies during the cap-presenting ceremony before the game.
Watch Krunal Pandya struggling to hold back his tears:
Krunal pandya 💔💔
“This innings for my dad” 💔 pic.twitter.com/XRtgmeMAbj
— Løgésh (@stLogesh) March 23, 2021
This is all heart 💙🫂
A teary moment for ODI debutant @krunalpandya24 post his brilliant quick-fire half-century💥💥@hardikpandya7 #TeamIndia #INDvENG @Paytm pic.twitter.com/w3x8pj18CD
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 23, 2021