Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya signed by team in TNCA
Swaraj Cricket Club, a team in the second division of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, acquired the services of brothers, Krunal Pandya, 25 and Hardik Pandya, 22 for the upcoming season. It is a major coup for Swaraj CC, a team sponsored by TAKE Solutions, as the two brothers will look to push the team towards the first division.
Read: Why Hardik Pandya is the all rounder India were looking for
Also: 5 things you should know about Krunal Pandya
TNCA rules stipulate that each club is allowed to field two outstation cricketers. Swaraj’s bold move is an indiciation of their growing desire to make the cut for the first division. A total of 12 teams play in the second division in the TNCA.
Hardik, the more famous of the two brothers prior to this year’s IPL, has represented India in 16 T20Is after shooting to fame after the 2015 edition of the Indian Premier League. Hardik is an all rounder, who bowls medium fast and bats right handed. In comparison, the elder brother, Krunal had to wait for his break, before he shot to fame with a sensational IPL 2016 for the Mumbai Indians. Krunal is a useful left-arm spinner and an aggressive left handed bat. Both brothers turn out for Baroda in domestic cricket.
Hardik Pandya vs Krunal Pandya 2016 IPL stats:
| Name | Matches | Runs | Wickets |
| Krunal Pandya | 12 | 237 | 6 |
| Hardik Pandya | 11 | 44 | 3 |
Krunal Pandya had a much better IPL 2016, Hardik will look to bounce back from the relative dip in form with some good performances for Swaraj Cricket Club.
Apart from this, TAKE Solutions, which is maintaining Swaraj, also owns a franchise in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), which is scheduled to take place in August – September this year. Lakshmipathy Balaji, Tamil Nadu’s bowling coach-cum-player, said such a league would be a boon for players from outside Chennai. "Most of the time they [cricketers from the districts] don't have much exposure before they play at the state level. A professional league such as this would bridge the gap," he said. "This would also give the selectors access to talent that may not always be spotted."