indian batter Manish PandeyHe is one of only four players to have played in every edition of the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008 and he described his experience over 19 years intense pulsed light The journey is fleeting.Pandey will don the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) jersey in IPL 2026 as the three-time champions take on the five-time champions mumbai indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium. In 174 IPL games, Pandey scored 3,942 runs at a strike rate of 121.52.
“It’s been an incredible journey for me – 19 years and now into my 19th season. I started MI in the first year after the U19 World Cup. That’s a special memory, but honestly it all feels like a fleeting moment. From 2008 to now, 2026, a lot has happened,” Pandey said in a video released by IPL on Sunday.He added: “Overall, it has been a fantastic experience. I am delighted to be one of the few players to have played in every edition of the IPL and I always try to do justice to myself and the game. I am here purely for the passion and love of cricket.”Recalling his landmark century at Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009, Pandey said: “Of course. We were just young, 18-19-year-olds, discovering the game and ourselves. In my second season, I was in South Africa for RCB To score a hundred, it feels great. I didn’t expect to get this opportunity in the opening period, but it helped me a lot. To be the first Indian to score a hundred and the youngest at that time is a great achievement, although others now hold the record.“On the development of IPL, Pandey noted: “This tournament has taught us a lot. We were still learning the dynamics at the time. In its 19 years, IPL has brought huge growth to the players, sponsors and fans. The joy it brings to so many people is incredible. It has now become one of the biggest platforms for young talents to shine. “Pandey also spoke about the changes in the game itself: “Back then, 160 was considered good and 140 was defensible. Now, everything is faster, there are high-scoring matches and new bowling changes. The IPL is the epicenter of cricket in the world today, testing players who have been here for a year or more. It makes the game bigger and helps cricket grow. “He added, “We have always dreamed of playing for India and tournaments like the IPL are crucial. The selectors pay close attention and performance here is the key to staying in the competition. As time goes by, I am lucky to be able to do that.”Pandey concluded by reflecting on his crucial knock in KKR’s 2014 final: “The 95-run innings in the final changed my life. It helped me get into the Indian team, where I played 29 ODIs and 39 T20Is. The IPL was very kind to me and gave me a chance to handle the pressure while enjoying the game.”
