New Kid on the Block-MANISH PANDEY

It was a much surprize to see a new kid breaking the barrier of 100 runs in a Twenty-a-side game, that too in a much heated up contest at the stage of 2nd edition of IPL tournament. I, never in my dreams, thought it will be ever possible when the tournament was popularly projected by the pundits as being a bowler's tournament. Especially, the hard-hitters like Mathew Hayden, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Herschell Gibbs, Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jaysuria, Veerendra Shewag, and the Little Master- Sachin Tendulkar couldnt cross the barrier of 100 run-mark. Even the swash-buckling Knight Rider- Chris Gayle, who hit the First Century in the World-cup tournament of shorter version of the game last year, couldnt leave a mark this year. Indeed, bowlers in the tournament has a tight grip over the batsmen, but youth is youth. Young Manish Pandey, making his first appearance in the tournament, that too at a stage when the tournament got into tough position, call it as a quarter final of the tournament, against a TOP-IN-FORM DECCAN CHARGERS

Aggression is part and parcel of Pandey’s batting and T-20 suits him well but it is his sound defensive technique and wide repertoire of strokes that has made him the next big hope from Karnataka. If this is not enough, agility in the field completes the description of this NEW KID.

First hand experience of this lad was in the under-19 world cup tournament held two years back in KAULA LAMPUR. Little, or not much, must have been known about the crickting qualities of this guy.

Pandey made his first class debut for Karnataka last season and his scores did not do full justice to his potential. Two half-centuries in the debut season was definitely an under-achievement.

But, it was sufficient for him to go to KAULA LAMPUR, and then get a berth in First edition of the Indian Premier League; as a MUMBAI INDIAN last year. He was just confined to the seat meant for extras. But this year round, low spirited ROYAL CHALLENGERS of BANGLORE.

The Karnataka batsman went into the record books, hitting the highest T20 score (114 not out) by an Indian. His match winning knock guided Royal Challengers Bangalore into the IPL semi-finals. Pandey also scored a crucial 48 to help his side beat favourites Chennai Super Kings in the semi-finals, a knock that earned him praise from opponents skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Indeed, this feel of first sucess for the 19-year-old lad, is not the last one, and must have been the defining moment of his career.

The indian cricket fans can now hold their breath and watch this NEW KID performing whenever he gets a chance to don the official blue attire and march towards the 22-YARD SILVER STAGE.

BEST OF LUCK TO MANISH PANDEY

We can now expect the lad to make it to the playing squad