Manish Pandey is a seasoned right-handed top-order batter who carved his name into IPL history as the first Indian to score a century in the tournament. That breakthrough knock for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009, when he was just 19, not only set a record but also steered him away from a potential career in the army. Over the years, Pandey has evolved into a reliable middle-order presence, known for his composure and athletic fielding. His international highlight came in 2016 when his maiden ODI century in Sydney helped India chase down 330 against Australia. A key figure in Karnataka’s domestic dominance during their treble-winning run, Pandey has also featured for multiple IPL franchises including Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals. His match-winning 94 in the 2014 IPL final for KKR remains one of his most memorable contributions.