Manish Pandey Labelled ‘Exactly Like Virat Kohli’

Manish Pandey compared to Virat Kohli [Source: AFP]

KKR veteran Manish Pandey got a moment to shine in the IPL 2026 season as Kolkata fought against the Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens. His heroics encouraged former cricketers to compare him to legend Virat Kohli.

On May 20, KKR hosted MI at home, and it was a high-pressure game as the Knight Riders had to win to stay alive in the competition. And under such heavy pressure, Pandey stood out just when no one expected him to.

Manish Pandey compared to Virat Kohli

Chasing 148 against the Mumbai Indians, Manish Pandey scored 45 off 33 balls, including six fours, to stabilise KKR’s innings after they had lost 3 wickets at 54 runs on the board.

Pandey built a 64-run partnership with Rovman Powell to ensure KKR got to the chase without any hiccups. His heroics earned Manish the Player of the Match award after KKR won by 4 wickets.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh heaped praise on Manish Pandey and compared his temperament to that of Virat Kohli. Interestingly, both Pandey and Kohli come from the same batch, as they played the U19 World Cup together in 2008.

Harbhajan said that Manish Pandey has maintained the same fitness levels as Virat Kohli. He still has the same commitment and has stayed relevant for so many years.

“His involvement is exactly like Virat Kohli’s because he is from the same group. You can call it a batch or a gang, it is the same thing. He belongs to that same batch and is just as fit. It felt very good watching him play, and he played a very good innings. It is good to see him back playing games, and Manish Pandey has been around since we used to play, maybe even earlier than that. But it is good to see him," Singh said on Star Sports.

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Manish Pandey stepped up as senior for KKR

Harbhajan Singh also credited Manish Pandey for never losing belief in himself and stepping up when the team needed experience following Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s injury absence. 

“He did not lose his belief in himself. He joined the team as a senior player and had to sit out, but he gave confidence to the entire group that there is still a long way to go. It was a very good innings. And Raghuvanshi, their main in-form batter, had to go out today due to a finger injury. So the responsibility came on this player because he is quite senior, and he has done the job very well. I am very happy about it," he added.

Notably, just like Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey has also been in the IPL since 2008. However, he couldn't reach the same heights as his former teammate due to inconsistent performance and lack of consistent chances.

KKR still alive in the playoff race

Meanwhile, that victory against the Mumbai Indians was a massive boost for KKR as they are somehow still alive in the playoff race of the IPL 2026 season despite losing their first five fixtures.

After the last win, KKR stood at sixth spot on the table with 13 points. They have to win their last game against DC to get a maximum of 15 points.

But that alone won’t be enough. KKR also has to wish for PBKS and CSK to lose to stand a chance at qualification, as NRR will also come into the picture.

KKR will next face the Delhi Capitals on May 24 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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