Manish Pandey
A stylish, aggressive batsman who etched his name in IPL history with a landmark century and became a clutch performer in Karnataka's domestic dynasty.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Indian cricketer·Birthday: September 10·Millennials
Biography
Manish Pandey announced himself not with a whisper, but with a roar that changed Indian cricket. In 2009, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, he became the first Indian batsman to score a century in the Indian Premier League, a blistering knock that announced the IPL as a stage where young domestic players could seize superstardom. While his international career was intermittent, Pandey became a linchpin of Karnataka's formidable domestic team, playing a central role in their Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy dominance. In the IPL, he evolved into a reliable middle-order fulcrum, most notably for the Kolkata Knight Riders, where his calm under pressure helped secure two championship titles. His career is a testament to the power of a single, iconic innings and the sustained excellence required to thrive in India's fiercely competitive cricket landscape.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Manish was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Manish Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Manish's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Indian player to score a century in the Indian Premier League, making 114 not out in 2009.
- Won multiple IPL titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders, in 2014 and again in 2024, as a key middle-order batsman.
- Was a central figure in Karnataka's historic domestic treble in the 2013-14 season, winning the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- Part of the Indian squad that won the 2018 Asia Cup in the UAE.
Did You Know?
He led the India Under-19 team to victory in the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.
Pandey is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, having learned the classical Indian dance form for several years.
His maiden IPL century in 2009 came against the Deccan Chargers in Centurion, South Africa.
“I wanted to be the first Indian to score an IPL century, and I did it.”
