Kolkata Knight Riders batter Manish Pandey marked another IPL milestone ahead of their IPL 2026 clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday. The KKR top-order batter became the third player to feature in at least one match in every IPL season, a record that highlights his longevity across the league’s ever-changing franchises.
Manish Pandey’s IPL record and franchise journey
Pandey was named in the playing XI for the KKR match against SRH. His IPL career has seen him turn out for several franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.
Only Virat Kohli has managed the “every season” feat with a single franchise, accomplishing it with RCB. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, has also played in every IPL edition, beginning with the Deccan Chargers before later representing Mumbai Indians.
SRH vs KKR: toss and early plan
- Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and chose to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders.
- SRH captain Pat Cummins said the decision was driven by the nature of the pitch, which he felt would suit a high-scoring contest even with the heat.
- At the toss presentation, Cummins added that the team’s momentum has come from a mix of young players and senior names finding form together, while also committing to an aggressive, positive brand of cricket.
Cummins’ message at the toss was that SRH expected a strong total and believed the conditions looked favourable for runs. He also pointed to the way younger players have made an immediate impact, while the established core has hit its stride, stating that the side has posted 220-plus totals in all but one game this season—an indicator of how well their tournament rhythm has been established.
SRH’s form and playoff push
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been among the most reliable teams in IPL 2026 so far, winning six of their first nine matches. With 12 points, they are placed third in the standings heading into the contest. A win over KKR would bolster their already strong position in the race for a place in the playoffs.
KKR’s season so far under Ajinkya Rahane
While SRH arrive in confident form, Kolkata Knight Riders have had a tougher opening stretch to their IPL 2026 campaign. Despite recovering with a couple of recent victories, the Rahane-led side has managed just two wins in eight matches, along with one no-result.
