VIDEO: When Krunal Pandya turned ‘emotional’ on sensational debut

The first match of the ODI series between India and England, in Pune, turned out to be an emotional affair for the Pandya brothers as the older Krunal made the debut in Indian colours today.

Krunal was handed his maiden ODI cap by his younger brother Hardik, in the team huddle, before the match. The former pointed the cap at the sky, remembering their father who passed away in January following a cardiac arrest. The 30-year-old, who was leading Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, had left the tournament midway to return home then.

After the team huddle, the Pandya brothers were seen hugging each other, as Krunal turned emotional.

The older brother went on to smash the fastest fifty by an ODI debutant – he reached the half century mark in just 26 balls, overtaking John Morris (35 balls) of New Zealand. His blistering unbeaten knock of 58 (31 balls), which was studded with seven fours and two sixes, helped India post 317/5 in 50 overs.

Krunal, once again, broke down after the innings while being interviewed by the host broadcaster. "This one is for my father", was all that he could tell commentator Murali Kartik when asked about his unbeaten knock before being overwhelmed by emotions.

He was enveloped by Hardik in a tight hug soon after.

For Krunal, the last three months have been an emotional roller-coaster.

In January, he had an ugly tiff with state-mate Deepak Hooda who accused the Baroda captain of bullying him during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy camp. Hooda left the camp soon after and was subsequently suspended for the entire season by the Baroda team management, which backed Krunal on the matter.

Weeks after the controversy, Krunal lost his father Himanshu.

(With PTI inputs)