Manish Pandey, the veteran Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter and a key figure in Karnataka cricket for over a decade, has been excluded from the state’s probables list for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This marks a significant turning point in his distinguished career, which has spanned both domestic and international cricket. Pandey, who has been a cornerstone of Karnataka’s success in domestic competitions, is now being sidelined in favor of emerging talents.
J. Abhiram, the chairman of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) men's selection committee, confirmed this decision in an interview with Sportstar, explaining that the team is focusing on providing opportunities to younger players. "Manish has had a fantastic career, but it’s time for younger players like Prakhar Chaturvedi, Aneeshwar Gautam, and K.V. Aneesh to step up and make their mark," Abhiram said. Alongside his exclusion from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Pandey will also miss the second leg of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, further signaling Karnataka’s shift towards rebuilding its squad for the future.
Pandey's career has been a remarkable one. He first rose to prominence in 2009 when he became the first Indian to score an IPL century, an unbeaten 114 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. This milestone helped him secure a place in Indian cricket, but recent years have been less kind. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, Pandey was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹75 lakh, a modest sum compared to the ₹11 crore he fetched in 2018 when Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him. Despite this, Pandey has been a consistent performer for KKR, though his fortunes have fluctuated in recent seasons.
A stalwart of Karnataka cricket, Pandey has made invaluable contributions since making his debut in 2007. As a steady and reliable middle-order batter, he has played a key role in the team’s multiple domestic titles. His performances have ranged from gritty knocks in pressure situations to explosive innings in the shorter formats, earning him a reputation as one of the most dependable domestic players of his generation.
On the international front, Pandey’s career includes 29 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 39 T20Is, where he has had several memorable moments. His unbeaten 104 against Australia in 2016 remains one of his most significant achievements, showcasing his ability to perform under intense pressure. However, his time with the national team has been sporadic, and his recent exclusion from both domestic and international squads highlights the growing focus on younger players in Indian cricket.
Acknowledging the end of this chapter in Pandey’s career, Abhiram expressed hope that the veteran cricketer would continue contributing to Karnataka cricket in a different capacity. "It’s never easy to have such conversations, but cricket has its cycles. Manish has a wealth of experience, and we hope he continues to support the team in a mentoring or coaching role," Abhiram said. Pandey’s departure from the active squad may well signal the beginning of a new phase in his career, one that could see him pass on his valuable knowledge to the next generation of cricketers in Karnataka.
