Middle-order batter Manish Pandey is buzzing about his return to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming IPL season.
Manish Pandey, who played for KKR between 2014 and 2017, is excited to be back with the franchise that feels like “home” after a six-year absence.
Memorable First Stint with KKR
During his first stint with KKR, Manish Pandey established himself as a key player. Notably, two of his most successful IPL seasons in terms of runs scored came in those KKR colours (2014 and 2017).
Interestingly, the last time KKR clinched the IPL title (2014) coincided with Pandey’s prolific run of over 400 runs that season. He even played a match-winning knock of 94 runs in the final against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), helping KKR secure their second IPL trophy.
Looking to replicate past success in IPL 2024
Recalling that historic season, Manish Pandey highlighted the team’s unwavering attitude that ultimately led them to victory.
“2014 was a year where KKR didn’t start well, but we came back stronger,” Pandey said as quoted by Cricbuzz. “We won seven consecutive games in a row and emerged champions. That kind of fearlessness on the field is what we need again.”
Reunion with Gautam Gambhir
Manish Pandey is particularly delighted that his return coincides with the return of Gautam Gambhir, who was KKR’s captain during his first successful stint. Gambhir will be joining the team as a mentor this year.
“Gauti bhai has always been a great leader,” Pandey said. “Having him back, even in a different role, is fantastic. His presence will be invaluable for the team.”
Ready to Prove His Worth Again
While returning to a familiar and successful franchise is exciting, Manish Pandey acknowledges the competition for spots in the middle-order. With players like Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer, and Rinku Singh present, Pandey knows he needs to impress in the practice matches.
“It’s a fresh start for me,” Pandey said. “I’ll be aiming to do well in the practice games and perform whatever role the team assigns me. Whenever I get an opportunity, I’ll be ready to grab it with both hands. My ultimate goal is to contribute to KKR’s success.”
Pandey’s return injects a dose of nostalgia and experience into the KKR squad. Fans will be eager to see if he can recapture his past form and help the team lift their third IPL title.
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