IPL 2018: Manish Pandey thrilled to join Sunrisers Hyderabad

Manish Pandey has had an illustrative career, both at the domestic and international circuit. He has scored a truckload of runs in the domestic cricket for Karnataka. The consistent performances have earned him a spot in the Indian national team. He was also a part of the Virat Kohli-led Indian Under-19 team which won the 2007 World Cup in Malaysia.

However, Pandey came to limelight in the second season of the Indian Premier League in South Africa. He scored a swashbuckling century against the Deccan Chargers at Centurion, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Subsequently, he entered the record books as India’s maiden century-maker in the T20 extravaganza.

Lately, he has also been a part of the Indian team and played the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. Recently, he again grabbed the headlines as he was bagged for a whopping 11 crores by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing auctions at Bangalore. The Karnataka cricketer started the auctions with a base price of 100 Lakhs.

How it panned out for Pandey in the auctions?

However, three teams- Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab and the Sunrisers Hyderabad went all-out for the 28-year old. His price escalated alarmingly and Sunrisers eventually bagged him. Kolkata Knight Riders had the option of using the Right to Match (RTM) card, however, they refrained from retaining him.

Nevertheless, after his selection in the team, Manish Pandey took to Twitter and expressed his joy of laying for his new team. Meanwhile, he also bid adieu to the Kolkata Knight Riders, his previous team in the IPL, and thanked them for a wonderful stint. Here’s the Tweet from the middle-order batsman.

A new home starting season 11 @ipl Thrilled & excited to be part of #orangearmy, hope to give my best for @SunRisers!!

Also I would like to thank entire @kkRiders team for some wonderful memories over the years?? #IPLAuction https://t.co/EUjKiEPY6e

— Manish Pandey (@im_manishpandey) January 27, 2018

Sunrisers Hyderabad have lacked firepower in their middle-order and Pandey’s inclusion to the squad will undoubtedly boost their batting lineup. The franchise from the south will be Pandey’s fourth team in the IPL after Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Kolkata Knight Riders.