Early Life and Background
Manish Pandey Born on September 10, 1989 in Nainital, Uttarakhand, Manish Krishnanand Pandey grew up in Karnataka where his cricketing journey began. The son of an army officer, Pandey nearly followed his father’s footsteps into military service before cricket changed his destiny. His aggressive batting style and electric fielding quickly made him stand out in Karnataka’s age-group cricket.
Historic IPL Breakthrough
Pandey etched his name in cricket history on May 21, 2009 when he became:
- First Indian to score an IPL century (114* off 73 balls for RCB)
- Youngest IPL centurion at the time (19 years 253 days)
This innings against Deccan Chargers announced his arrival on the big stage and secured his future in professional cricket.
Domestic Cricket Dominance
First-Class Career (Karnataka)
- Matches: 118
- Runs: 7,973 at 50.78 average
- Highest Score: 238
- Centuries: 25
- Key member of Karnataka’s golden generation that won multiple Ranji Trophy titles
List A Career
- Matches: 192
- Runs: 6,310 at 45.39 average
- Centuries: 10
- Best: 142*
International Career Highlights
ODI Career (2015-2020)
- Debut: July 2015 vs Zimbabwe
- Matches: 29
- Runs: 566 at 33.29
- Best: 104* vs Australia (2016) – match-winning chase of 330
- One of India’s best fielders during his tenure
T20I Career
- Matches: 39
- Runs: 709 at impressive 44.31 average
- Strike Rate: 126.15
- Played crucial cameos as a finisher
IPL Journey (2008-Present)
Teams Played For
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (2008-2010)
- Pune Warriors (2011-2013)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (2014-2017)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018-2021)
- Lucknow Super Giants (2022-2023)
- Delhi Capitals (2024-present)
IPL Career Stats
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | RCB | 5 | 168 | 114* | 42.00 | 124.44 |
| 2014 | KKR | 16 | 401 | 94 | 30.84 | 117.59 |
| 2017 | KKR | 14 | 396 | 81* | 49.50 | 128.57 |
| 2019 | SRH | 12 | 344 | 83* | 43.00 | 130.30 |
| Career | 7 Teams | 172 | 3,869 | 114* | 29.09 | 121.17 |
Playing Style and Strengths
- Batting: Aggressive right-handed batsman, excellent against pace
- Fielding: Among India’s best fielders during his prime
- Versatility: Could bat anywhere from No. 3 to No. 6
- Big Match Player: Known for performing in crucial games
Recent Form and Future Prospects
At 35, Pandey continues to be:
- Valuable mentor for young players
- Reliable middle-order option in domestic cricket
- Occasional contributor in IPL (currently with Delhi Capitals)
His experience makes him an asset in dressing rooms, and he remains one of Karnataka cricket’s most respected figures.
Legacy and Records
- First Indian IPL centurion (2009)
- Part of two IPL-winning teams (KKR 2014, MI 2023)
- Key member of Karnataka’s dominant domestic side (2013-2015)
- Match-winning century against Australia in ODIs (2016)
Manish Pandey’s career serves as inspiration for many young cricketers, proving that domestic consistency can lead to international opportunities. While he may not have become a regular in India’s lineup, his contributions to Indian cricket remain significant.
