Dream is to play World Cup alongside Hardik, says Krunal
NEW DELHI: Krunal Pandya has just inched a bit closer towards his “dream” with a maiden India A call-up but the “ultimate goal” is to play the 2019 World Cup in England alongside younger brother Hardik.
“The aim is not just to represent India for a couple of matches here and there but to play for as long as possible. It would be a dream come true if I and Hardik can together play for India in the 2019 World Cup. But right now, focus will be on doing well for India A,” Krunal said after his selection in the A squad for a limited-overs series in South Africa.
In fact, Hardik called him from Antigua after getting the news of his ‘A’ team selection.
“Hardik was ecstatic. He called me and said that ‘You are getting there’. Having already played for India, he has an insight about top flight cricket and I always discuss with him to pick finer points. There can’t be a closer buddy than your own brother,” says Krunal.
While he has been one of the vital component for the Mumbai Indians in their IPL triumph, he attributes his success to the hard work he had put in to counter the ‘Second Season Syndrome’ that affects many cricketers.
“I knew opposition teams would study my game during this edition of the IPL after a reasonably good first season. I had to work on my weaknesses as the second season becomes the very key in an international level tournament like IPL. I worked on both aspects of my game and it paid off,” said Krunal, who scored 243 runs and took 10 wickets in 13 IPL games.
For the older among Pandya siblings, his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy also helped him make a case for himself in the 50-over format. “It was a tough first few months as I had undergone surgery for quadriceps muscle injury. I was out of action for four to five months. The Vijay Hazare Trophy was like my comeback tournament for Baroda.
“We played the semi-finals and I had the highest runs (366) and highest wickets (11) for our team. I had a couple of 30s in the Deodhar Trophy. All these performances helped my confidence,” said 26-year-old Krunal, who has played 14 List A and 40 T20 matches, said. BENGALURU: Indian Super League side Bengaluru Football Club on Thursday announced the appointment of AFC Pro-licensed coach Naushad Moosa as Indian assistant coach for the first team as well as head coach of the newly formed BFC reserve side.
Moosa has formerly served as head of youth development and head coach of the U-19 side at Pune FC and was head coach of Air India in 2012.
A former youth coach at Mumbai FC, his most recent appointment was as U-14 coach at Reliance Foundation Young Champs.
“As a coach, it is a privilege to join a club that has a winning mentality. Bengaluru FC has won a trophy in each of its four seasons and the professionalism of this team is second to none. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the setup here,” said Moosa following his appointment.
A former footballer himself, Moosa has turned out for Air India, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, Mahindra United and Mohammedan Sporting in a career that spanned over 12 years. As coach of Pune FC U-19 side, Moosa claimed the U-18 I-league twice in three years and won the Pune League in 2016.
“We are very happy to add Naushad to our backroom staff.
His experience as a player and coach will add a lot of value to our team and the added responsibility of managing the reserve squad will see him nurture the future stars at BFC,” said club COO Mustafa Ghouse.