The first thought that came into fans' mind after Mumbai Indians picked all-rounder Krunal Pandya for Rs 2 crore in the Indian Premier League auction was: 'Who is he, and why the price?'
Many thought Krunal was snapped up just because he was the elder brother of India's latest sensation and IPL superstar Hardik Pandya. Many even thought Mumbai Indians might have erred by buying a lesser-known quantity in the domestic circle.
But two opportunities into the IPL-9 season and the Mumbai think-tank must be breathing easy. Their bet on a rookie yet talented player paid off, much like it did with Krunal's younger brother Hardik a couple of seasons ago.
Mumbai Indians may not have won the two games that Krunal played in but the 25-year-old has certainly left a mark with exciting performances with both the bat and ball.
His IPL debut at the Wankhede saw him score a crucial 11-ball 22 coming at No.7 when the hosts were struggling at 88/6 in 15.5 overs. His knock eventually took Mumbai to a respectable total of 143 in 20 overs.
In the same game, he displayed his bowling skills too. Off the six bowlers that Rohit Sharma used, only Krunal was economical, returning with the figures of 4-0-20-1 that included a scalp of India discard Dinesh Karthik.
In the next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Ahmedabad-born made sure that his previous knock wasn't a flash in the pan. Krunal rescued Mumbai again with an entertaining and responsible unbeaten 49 off just 28 balls to take his team to another respectable total when the others were struggling.
If his debut game was about getting the feel of the big stage, the second was about stamping his authority and showcasing his big-hitting skills. His three consecutive sixes off Bipul Sharma showed the danger that he can possess.
Former India wicket-keeper Kiran More, in whose academy the two brothers learned their cricket, is happy to see that the elder brother is living up to the expectations.
"Krunal is a good all-rounder and a good cricketer since his young days. He is a good fielder, and bowls and bats well. His batting, especially, has improved a lot. He is a positive cricketer who can hit long boundaries," said More.
Southpaws are usually a delight to watch, being naturally graceful. Krunal, a left-hander, may not be gifted with those adjectives but he is certainly effective.
For many, Hardik's enthusiasm and over-exciting nature might come as a breath of fresh air, and that is something he shares in common with his 22-year-old brother. Both Kurnal and Hardik are live wires on the field, making it a point to flaunt their celebrations.
It is this character that More likes about the two. "These guys want to be busy all the time. Krunal would want to bowl as well as bat. That enthusiasm and attitude that the two possess are very positive. It comes naturally to them. Krunal is a calm character as well as enthusiastic, while Hardik is more natural. Both are hungry to perform," he said.
Recalling the day when the two came to his academy in Baroda, More said, "Krunal came with his father from Surat at the age of six. We would admit 10 or 12 year old boys, not someone as young as Krunal. But I don't know what I thought and I took him in.
"They were struggling and his father had shifted his base from Surat to Baroda just for cricket. That made me want to admit them. With the way he wore his cricket gears at that age impressed me. Hardik too used to come with him and watch his elder brother play. I asked him to join as well," More added.
While Hardik has played for India, More thinks Krunal has to do more to make the international cut. "He has the potential to play for India but he has to perform consistently and do well in domestic cricket," he said.
