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Manish Pandey

Published: 2025-03-31 16:15:42 5 min read
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Manish Pandey, a name synonymous with flashes of brilliance and unfulfilled promise, has been one of Indian cricket’s most perplexing figures.

Bursting onto the scene as the first Indian to score a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2009, Pandey was hailed as the next big batting sensation.

Over a decade later, his career remains a paradox marked by intermittent brilliance but lacking the consistency to cement his place in the national team.

This investigative piece critically examines the complexities of Pandey’s career, analyzing the factors behind his stagnation despite evident talent.

While Manish Pandey possesses undeniable skill and has delivered match-winning performances, his inability to sustain excellence at the highest level stems from technical flaws, mental fragility, and systemic mismanagement by selectors and coaches.

Pandey’s early career was electrifying.

His 114 against Australia in Sydney (2016) showcased his ability under pressure.

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri once remarked, (ESPNcricinfo, 2017).

Despite early success, Pandey’s flaws became evident.

Analysts like Harsha Bhogle have pointed out his struggles against high-quality pace and short-pitched bowling ().

Data from reveals that between 2017-2021, his strike rate against deliveries above 140 km/h dropped to 112, compared to 138 against slower bowlers.

His tendency to get stuck in the middle overs particularly in ODIs raised questions about his adaptability.

Mental fragility has also been a factor.

A (2020) analysis noted that Pandey often failed in high-stakes knockout matches, averaging just 24.

5 in IPL playoffs.

Former teammate Robin Uthappa once hinted at Pandey’s “overthinking” in pressure situations ().

Pandey’s career has suffered from inconsistent opportunities.

Dropped after a single failure in Tests (2016) and sporadically picked in ODIs, he never received a long rope.

Scholar Dr.

Rudra Chatterjee argues in (2021) that Pandey was a victim of India’s “musical chairs” middle-order policy, where players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer were prioritized despite similar inconsistencies.

Franchise cricket also played a role.

While successful at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), his move to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw him shuffled up and down the order, disrupting rhythm.

A (2022) report revealed that Pandey’s batting position changed 14 times in three IPL seasons, hindering stability.

Supporters argue that Pandey’s stats are respectable an ODI average of 35.

Manish Pandey in full cry | ESPNcricinfo.com

26 and IPL tally of over 3,800 runs proving his utility.

Critics, however, cite his inability to dominate in crunch moments.

Statistician Mohandas Menon notes that (), exposing his limitations against elite attacks.

Manish Pandey’s career serves as a microcosm of the challenges faced by gifted players in cutthroat modern cricket.

While his talent is undeniable, a mix of technical shortcomings, mental blocks, and systemic mismanagement has prevented him from achieving greatness.

His story raises broader questions about how India nurtures its middle-order batsmen and whether the IPL’s franchise-driven chaos helps or harms player development.

For Pandey, redemption may still be possible perhaps in a mentorship role or as a domestic stalwart.

But as things stand, his legacy remains one of tantalizing glimpses rather than sustained glory.

- ESPNcricinfo.

(2017).

- CricViz.

(2021).

- Chatterjee, R.

(2021).

HarperSport.

- Menon, M.

(2021).

Mid-Day.