Manish Pandey happy to take KKR to a thrilling win

The Indian Premier League is all about nail-biting last over thrillers. And this time around, it was a close contest between Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders. With only 21 runs on the board and KKR’s top three batsmen sitting in the dugout already, the visitors were under pressure in their answer to Delhi’s 169. However, it was a 110 run fourth-wicket partnership between middle order batsmen Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan that turned the tables around and gave hope to the KKR fans.

Pandey is recognized as the first Indian batsman to score a century in the IPL. He blazed his way through his ninth IPL 50 as Delhi’s hopes kept drying up. Pandey, who plays for Karnataka in domestic cricket, was happy to anchor his team’s win and finish off a thrilling encounter.

“It was a good effort by the entire team and especially given my role to be till the end and finish off the game. I’m pretty happy with my performance,” he said.

The orange cap, which is given to the tournament’s highest run-getter belonged to Pandey, who took it from teammate and captain Gautam Gambhir which was later snatched by David Warner in the game that followed. Throughout his stay at the crease, he looked in sublime form as he smashed three sixes and four boundaries.

Pandey, who before the start of the IPL told reporters that he would try and get noticed by the selectors for the Champions Trophy through good performances in the IPL, said KKR were in the hunt for both the orange and purple cap, which will keep their momentum going.

“Yeah..It will be good preparations for us to finish the league stage and try to win as many as games as possible. With good runs and purple cap with us at some part of the tournament, it will be good for the team.”

KKR will now return home where they will play the Gujarat Lions at Eden Gardens on 21st, followed by a game against RCB on 23rd at the same iconic venue.