Ton changes wannabe soldier’s focus | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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Ton changes wannabe soldier’s focus

Hindustan Times | By, Johannesburg
May 23, 2009 01:21 AM IST

After becoming the first Indian batsman to slam a century in the IPL, Manish Pandey is convinced that he is made to fire with bat in cricket fields than firing bullets in the battlefield.

Ray Jennings, coach of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, is a good speaker. He has a distinct style of describing things and did so beautifully when asked about Manish Pandey after Thursday’s match, he said: “There he was waiting for his turn and we thought it was time for him to spread his wings.”

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HT Image

The youngster from Karnataka not only spread his wings but soared to new heights, becoming the first Indian to notch up a hundred in IPL. Pandey turned out to be far less expressive in front of the media than he was on the pitch. “I was waiting for my chance and it’s fantastic to have made the most of it.”

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Pandey didn’t have much by way of time to prepare for the big game. “The captain told me last night that I would be opening the innings and there I was, out there. Not getting too many chances earlier didn’t upset me. That’s part of the game for someone like me. I may get a chance or may not. It’s good that I have used the chance that I got.”

The player who had plans of joining the Army said his focus would be on cricket now on. “Yes I did want to join the army, but now that this happened, I will definitely stick to cricket now. My priority has changed and it’s going to be cricket. I’m enjoying the conditions here, although it can get very cold at times.” Fortunately for him after his century, he doesn’t have to worry about a posting in Siachen anymore.

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