NewsPhotos Happy Birthday Krunal Pandya: All-rounder celebrates with record-breaking knock

Happy Birthday Krunal Pandya: All-rounder celebrates with record-breaking knock

Krunal Pandya had an ODI debut to remember just a day before his 30th birthday. Krunal broke the world record for the fastest fifty scored on debut -- reaching the landmark off just 26 balls. The all-rounder became the 15th Indian batsman to hit a fifty-plus score on debut in ODI cricket. He is the first batsman since Faiz Fazal in 2016. He is also only the third India batsman to hit a fifty on debut while batting at No. 7 or below after Saba Karim and Ravindra Jadeja. Krunal, the elder brother of India all-rounder Hardik, lost his father in the month of January this year and dedicated his sensational knock to his late father. We take a look at some interesting facts about Krunal Pandya on his birthday.

Updated:Mar 24, 2021, 11:17 AM IST

Krunal Pandya, a star with Mumbai Indians

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Hardik and Krunal Pandya with the IPL trophy won by the Mumbai Indians. Krunal has scored 1000 runs and picked up 46 wickets in 71 IPL matches with Mumbai Indians, since making his IPL debut back in 2016. (Source: Twitter)

Krunal Pandya gears up for ODI challenge

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Krunal Pandya at a training session before the start of ODI series against England in Pune. (Source: Twitter)

Krunal Pandya at a training session before the start of ODI series against England in Pune. Krunal's father moved his family from Surat to Baroda to enroll him to former India stumper Kiran More's academy. More initially didn't admit Krunal in his academy because he was only seven years of age. (Source: Twitter)

Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna make memorable debuts

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Krunal Pandya (left) poses with the other Indian debutant Prasidh Krishna ahead of the first ODI against England in Pune. (Photo: ANI)

Krunal Pandya (left) poses with the other Indian debutant Prasidh Krishna ahead of the first ODI against England in Pune. Krunal scored 388 runs including two centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year to earn a berth in the ODI squad. (Photo: ANI)

Krunal Pandya's batting fireworks

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Krunal Pandya en route to scoring a whirlwind fifty against England in the first ODI in Pune. (Photo: BCCI)

Krunal Pandya en route to scoring a whirlwind fifty against England in the first ODI in Pune. Krunal broke the record of fastest fifty on debut, a record held by England's John Morris who had scored a fifty off 35 balls.(Photo: BCCI)

Krunal and Hardik Pandya - the close bond

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Krunal Pandya (right) was handed over his ODI cap by his younger brother Hardik in the first ODI against England in Pune. (Source: Twitter)

Krunal Pandya (right) was handed over his ODI cap by his younger brother Hardik in the first ODI against England in Pune. Pandya scored a fifty and picked up one wicket on debut. (Source: Twitter)