When you think of Indian cricket, names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni often steal the spotlight. But tucked away in the story of modern Indian cricket is another name — Manish Pandey. Known for his elegant stroke play, calm presence at the crease, and a knack for playing crucial innings, Pandey has carved out a reputation as one of India’s most dependable middle-order batsmen.
Whether it’s his iconic IPL century or his memorable knock in Zimbabwe on debut, Pandey’s journey is filled with moments worth celebrating. Let’s walk through his career, his stats across formats, and why fans continue to back him as one of Indian cricket’s unsung heroes.
Quick Snapshot: Who is Manish Pandey?
Before diving into numbers, here are the essentials about Manish Pandey:
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Full Name: Manish Krishnanand Pandey
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Date of Birth: September 10, 1989 (35 years old in 2025)
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Birthplace: Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
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Height: Not officially listed
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Role: Batsman (Right-handed)
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Bowling Style: Right-arm medium (rarely used)
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Country: India
Pandey’s cricketing story started long before the IPL made him a household name. He was part of India’s 2008 Under-19 World Cup-winning team, alongside Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. That victory sparked a new generation of Indian cricket, and Pandey was right in the mix.
Manish Pandey and ICC Rankings
While Pandey never cemented a long Test career (in fact, he has no Test matches to his name), his contributions in limited-overs cricket were significant. Interestingly, despite his experience, he hasn’t had standout ICC rankings in batting or bowling across formats, largely due to limited opportunities in the national side.
But don’t let the absence of ranking numbers fool you — his stats tell another story.
Manish Pandey’s Batting Stats Across Formats
Pandey’s career has mostly revolved around ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL. Let’s break down his numbers and what they mean.
ODI Career
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Matches: 29
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Innings: 24
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Runs: 566
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Highest Score: 104*
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Average: 33.29
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Strike Rate: 90.56
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50s/100s: 2 fifties, 1 century
Highlight: His unbeaten 104 against Australia in Sydney (2016) remains one of his most celebrated innings. It not only saved India from collapse but also showcased Pandey’s ability to handle pressure on the big stage.
T20 International Career
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Matches: 39
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Innings: 33
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Runs: 709
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Highest Score: 79*
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Average: 44.31 (impressive for T20s!)
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Strike Rate: 126.16
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50s: 3 half-centuries
Pandey often slotted into the middle order in T20Is, playing the anchor role while others around him went for big shots. His high average reflects how reliable he was when given a chance.
IPL Career (The Format That Made Him Famous)
This is where Manish Pandey truly shines.
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Matches: 174
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Innings: 162
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Runs: 3,942
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Highest Score: 114*
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Average: 29.42
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Strike Rate: 121.52
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50s/100s: 22 fifties, 1 century
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Fours/Sixes: 339 fours, 115 sixes
Fun Fact: Manish Pandey was the first Indian player to score a century in the IPL. His knock of 114* for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 put him in the history books.
Over the years, he has played for franchises like RCB, Pune Warriors, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants, always providing stability in the middle order.
Test Career (Or Lack Thereof)
Surprisingly, Pandey never got a single Test match opportunity for India. Despite being technically sound and having the temperament for longer innings, he remained a white-ball specialist throughout his career.
Manish Pandey’s Bowling Record
Here’s where things get interesting — though Pandey is officially a right-arm medium bowler, he has rarely bowled in professional cricket. His records across formats show 0 wickets and almost no bowling contributions.
That said, he has occasionally rolled his arm over in domestic cricket, but his role has always been as a specialist batsman.
Also Read : Sarfaraz Ahmed Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Manish Pandey’s Career Timeline
Let’s look at his career debuts and last appearances across formats:
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ODI Debut: vs Zimbabwe, July 14, 2015, at Harare Sports Club
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Last ODI: vs Sri Lanka, July 23, 2021, at R. Premadasa Stadium
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T20I Debut: vs Zimbabwe, July 17, 2015, at Harare Sports Club
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Last T20I: vs Australia, Dec 4, 2020, at Manuka Oval
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IPL Debut: vs Kolkata Knight Riders, April 29, 2008, at Eden Gardens
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Last IPL Match: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, May 25, 2025, at Arun Jaitley Stadium
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Champions League T20 Debut: vs Cape Cobras, Oct 8, 2009
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Last CLT20 Match: vs Chennai Super Kings, Oct 4, 2014
Memorable Moments in Manish Pandey’s Career
If you ask any fan about Manish Pandey, here are the moments that come up most often:
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First Indian to score an IPL century (2009) – A milestone that gave him instant fame.
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Match-winning century vs Australia (2016) – Proved he could perform under pressure at the international level.
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Consistent IPL presence – With nearly 4,000 runs, Pandey remains one of the most reliable Indian middle-order batsmen in IPL history.
Strengths That Define Manish Pandey
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Versatile Batsman: Can adapt between aggressive T20 innings and composed ODI knocks.
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Fitness: Known for his athleticism and quick running between the wickets.
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Fielding: One of India’s safest hands in the outfield, often compared to the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina.
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Team Player: Willing to play any role — opener, middle-order stabilizer, or finisher.
Challenges and Missed Opportunities
While Pandey’s career has been impressive, it hasn’t been without challenges:
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No Test career – Despite his technique, he never broke into the red-ball side.
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Inconsistent chances in ODIs/T20Is – Often rotated in and out of the squad.
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Overshadowed by bigger names – With India’s batting lineup stacked, Pandey often flew under the radar.
Manish Pandey’s Legacy
So, where does Manish Pandey stand in Indian cricket history?
He may not have the towering stats of Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, but he remains a trailblazer in the IPL and a dependable team man. His 2009 century inspired a generation of youngsters that Indian domestic players could shine in the IPL spotlight too.
As of 2025, Pandey is still active in the IPL, proving that consistency, fitness, and adaptability can keep a cricketer relevant for nearly two decades.
Final Thoughts
Manish Pandey’s cricketing journey is the perfect example of how a player doesn’t need constant media attention to make a mark. From his IPL century to his unforgettable knock in Sydney, Pandey has shown he belongs on the big stage.
He may never be remembered as one of India’s all-time greats, but he will always be celebrated as India’s first IPL centurion, a dependable batsman, and a role model for young cricketers dreaming of the big leagues.
