Kolkata Knight Riders batter Manish Pandey said he stayed ready through a tough stretch of four matches, waiting patiently for his moment to arrive. That chance finally came in a high-pressure chase at Eden Gardens, where the three-time champions beat Mumbai Indians by four wickets, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the Indian Premier League.
Pandey delivered a composed innings of 45 off 33 balls on a challenging, two-paced pitch, helping KKR overhaul 148 with 11 balls to spare, finishing on 149/6 in 18.5 overs. His knock was backed by key partnerships—first with captain Ajinkya Rahane and later with Rovman Powell—during periods when the chase looked tense.
Pandey’s mindset after the win
- Pandey explained that despite being held back lower in the batting order for the previous four games, he remained mentally prepared while watching from the sidelines.
- He described the period as a “great opportunity,” noting that staying padded up and waiting for his call became routine during that run.
- He added that the way KKR batted in those matches was impressive, and that his promotion to a higher spot came only when the team’s plans shifted.
- When he was told he would bat at number three, he said he began preparing immediately as soon as he came out to the field.
Reflecting on the chase itself, Pandey credited Rahane’s guidance as a major factor in how KKR built momentum on a difficult wicket. He said Rahane consistently encouraged him to focus on keeping the partnership ticking over and to read the ball carefully.
According to Pandey, the stand between him and Rahane proved crucial, and once that was established, the next partnership with Rovman Powell pushed KKR closer to the target. He highlighted that the chase reached a critical point where 25 runs were required from the final 25 deliveries—setting the stage for the finish.
Pandey also spoke about his broader preparation and the need to trust the process even when opportunities are limited early in the season. He said the IPL is built on routine work: coming in after the domestic season, improving fitness, and spending time in the middle to sharpen timing and decision-making.
He further noted that he had received confidence from the team, and that he wanted to ensure he was in the right shape whenever his opportunity came. For him, the key was continuous effort—staying consistent in practice because you never know when a chance will present itself, and when it does, you must grab it.
How the match unfolded
- Earlier in the contest, KKR’s bowlers kept Mumbai Indians to 147/8.
- Cameron Green and Saurabh Dubey each took two wickets as MI were restricted.
- Powell then struck quickly with a cameo of 40 to help KKR’s chase gather speed.
- Rinku finished the job with a boundary, sealing the four-wicket win and ensuring KKR stayed in contention for the playoffs.
