SA vs IND: Manish Pandey wants to make the most of the given opportunity

The South African team bounced back in an exemplary and resounding fashion to level the three-match T20I series 1-1. They defeated the visiting Indian side by 6 wickets, after having lost the first match by 28 runs to equalize the series equation and set things up for the massive series decider to be played on February 24 in Cape Town.

India’s middle-order batsman Manish Pandey who played an explosive unbeaten knock of 79 runs from just 49 balls in the second T20I match hopes to get the better out of himself every time when given the opportunity to play at any spot.

Need to keep squeezing my chances

Pandey was even part of the One-day international squad in the six-match ODI series but did not feature in any of the matches. He was then selected for the 1st T20 match in which he remained unbeaten on 29 runs to guide his towards a fighting total. And then played that staggering knock in the 2nd T20 and stitched an important partnership alongside MS Dhoni, but their efforts went in vain as the hosts chased down the total with 8 balls to spare.

Pandey who played an important knock at No 5 spot after an unusual top order collapse, revealed that he needs to make the most of the chances given at any position in future. He is quite aware of the fact that it is quite difficult to settle down at a position where many great players in the past have played.

“Some more chances and I wish I can deliver more. I feel I can deliver a lot more than what I am doing right now. I have to keep squeezing my chances in there. As I said, it is tough, playing at No. 5.”

“The people who have batted (in that position) before me, guys like Raina, Yuvi … it’s tough to fill in their shoes and (in the present context), it has been a couple of years now that the batting line-up is doing really well. I think you have to be very patient for your chances and have to be prepared to go after the bowling from ball one,” said Pandey as quoted by TOI.

I was waiting to be back at Centurion

In 2009, the Karnataka batsman Pandey became the first Indian player to score a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the very same venue where the second T20 international match was held, Centurion. Pandey told the media that he was waiting eagerly to play at Centurion now in national colours.

“Yeah, I was waiting to play here. Even in the ODI, I was trying to squeeze my chances in, but that didn’t happen. Centurion has always been good to me. I still remember the hundred I got here. So, it is a good top up there,” added the 28-year old remembering his magnificent century knock which came in the second edition of the IPL.

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