Manish Pandey is a name well known in the Indian cricketās domestic circuit. He is only 25 years old but has already played 70 first-class matches and 71 List A games since 2008. He averages over 50 in first-class cricket and has 15 centuries to his name.
Now, after his international debut, in the third ODI between India and Zimbabwe in Harare, Pandey has taken a step forward to the next level. Coming into the playing XI in place of injured Ambati Rayudu, Pandey walked in to bat at 5 with India on 68 for 3 in the 19th over. A couple of overs later he lost his partner and senior Karnataka team-mate Robin Uthappa.
But Pandey stuck it in and found a foil in Kedar Jadhav. Together they got the team out of jail with a 144-run partnership for the fifth wicket. while the debutant scored 71, Jadhav went on to notch up his maiden ODI century.
India won the match by 83 runs and wrapped up the series 3-0. After his auspicious debut, Pandey relived it in a chat with bcci.tv.
A moment youāve been awaited for a long time?
This has been my dream for a long time now and I consider myself very lucky to have played for India. I was waiting for this opportunity for a while now and when I got it I just wanted to make it count. I thought I did pretty okay.
What did you tell yourself when Bhajji pa gave you that cap and you kissed it?
It meant a lot to me and it is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. You know the feeling you have when you finally get something you have loved so much? It was a similar feeling and that gesture of kissing the cap just came out of those feelings. This was a dream not only for me but also my family and everybody who has worked with me over the years. It was for them.
It was a tricky situation you walked to bat in. what went in your mind?
We didnāt have too many runs on the board and we had also lost a few early wickets. It wasnāt easy initially because we saw how quickly the wickets were falling. And it was a time when a partnership had to happen. So Kedar and I had to drop our anchors down. We decided not to go big initially and play out till the 40th over with no risk. Thatās what we did and eventually got the team through.
It was your debut and a very important game for Kedar as well given his low scores in the first two games. How did the two of you carry each other throughout your partnership?
We have played a lot of games together for India A and so we are familiar with each otherās games. There was good chemistry between us today because of that and we did well to complement each other the way we did.
You looked so assured and relaxed out there, it belied the fact that this was your debut. Were you really that relaxed or just masked your nervousness well?
I was nervous last night before sleeping because I knew I was playing. Unfortunately Rayudu got injured. But when I walked in to bat today, it felt like a situation I have already been in so many times in my life. So, I was not very nervous but the fact that this is my first international match was at the back of my mind. I just decided to go in with a blank mind with no pre-planning and just play the game as it is and as it comes.
You played out the first 30 balls quite solidly, just rotating the strike. And then came that gorgeous six over long-off (off Mazakadza). How did that feel?
It was instinctive, you donāt plan for these things. I saw the ball and it was in my zone ā I like to hit it straight down the ground ā so I went for it. I thought I would be getting fours first but my first big shot was a six. And I was like, āWow!ā It was a great feeling.
You also got to your 50 in style, with that cut shot past backward point.
I donāt watch my score on the scoreboard so I didnāt even know that I was on 46. When I played that shot everyone started to clap and I was wondering what it was about. I looked up towards the dressing room and then at the scorecard. Thatās when I realized I had reached 50. It was a proud moment for me.
You are only 25 and have already played 70 first-class matches and 71 List A games. You have a lot of time on your hand and as well a lot of experience. Does this work to your advantage?
It definitely does. In fact, thatās what I thought when I was walking in to bat today. I didnāt feel a lot of pressure because I knew I have seen this and done this before. It is definitely beneficial to have a lot of experience behind you when you start playing for India. It makes you more prepared to face any situation you might encounter and you will not be overwhelmed.
Where do you think this performance stands in your career as a professional cricketer?
It is very important to have a good debut. It builds your confidence and gives you the belief that you belong. But I will not be thinking about this performance for too long. I have a long way to go and I will focus on what I have to do next. I will try to do well in whatever opportunities come my way, keep playing such knocks and try to be in the Indian team for a long time.
