Manish Pandey has finally made it to the playing XI for Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The 36-year-old batter had recently become a talking point on social media amid KKR’s struggles this season. With the side now involved in a do-or-die clash to keep their playoff hopes alive, Pandey’s inclusion could prove significant given the experience he brings to the table.

Manish Pandey joins elite IPL list along with some greats of the game

Meanwhile, with this appearance, Pandey has achieved a rare and significant milestone. He has now featured in at least one game in all 19 seasons of the Indian Premier League.

With this, he joins an elite group alongside Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, becoming only the third player to achieve this feat in the history of the tournament.

Over the course of his IPL career, Pandey has scored 3,942 runs at an average of around 29, with a strike rate of 121.52. His record includes 22 half-centuries and one century, and notably he remains the first Indian batter to score an IPL hundred, achieving the feat back in 2009.

He has represented seven franchises in the league over the years — Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.

Despite his longevity, Pandey’s IPL journey has seen its share of ups and downs. His performances have lacked consistency at times, which is one of the reasons behind him being in and out of playing XIs across seasons. Known for his elegant batting style and sharp fielding, he has still delivered impactful performances over the years.

His standout season came in 2020, when he scored 425 runs in 16 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

KKR fight back after SRH’s flying start

Meanwhile, in the ongoing contest, Kolkata Knight Riders pulled things back brilliantly with the ball after a dominant start from Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH raced to 105 in the first nine overs and looked set for a massive total, but a dramatic collapse shifted the momentum.

KKR struck at regular intervals in the middle overs, eventually restricting SRH to 165 all out in 19 overs. With the game now finely poised, KKR will need to remain composed during the chase and avoid any costly mistakes. It also presents a valuable opportunity for Manish Pandey to step up and make a meaningful impact in a high-pressure situation.

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