Why did Manish Pandey miss KKR vs SRH clash of IPL 2026?

Manish Pandey is one of only four current players to have been part of the IPL since its inception.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), after losing their first game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, went with the same playing XI in their second clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

The team is looking to back the same combination they fielded in the opening game, but fans are still raising some valid questions about the management’s decisions. While batting wasn’t a major concern in the first match, the run rate dipped after the fall of early wickets, which ultimately cost the KKR in the latter stages of the game.

Manish Pandey, who has been part of the IPL since the very first season, has had a remarkable journey, from starting as a young player with Mumbai Indians after the 2008 U-19 World Cup triumph, to becoming the first Indian to score an IPL century for RCB, and later reaching his peak with KKR, contributing to their title-winning campaigns.

His career has seen many ups and downs, yet he has consistently bounced back, proving his value time and again. However, questions are now being raised about why the team management is not showing enough trust in him to play a role in the middle order.

Why Manish Pandey missed KKR vs SRH clash of IPL 2026?

Manish Pandey’s omission from the team is purely a management decision and is not related to any injury. Before returning to KKR, Manish played for SRH and LSG, where he got opportunities in the middle order, but his returns were not impressive as he got older and the dynamics of the IPL changed, demanding a higher strike rate from batters.

He played just one game in the 2024 season and three games in 2025 for KKR. It is clear that the management is currently keeping him as a backup player and is trusting their main players to deliver at the start of the season.

The age factor also matters in modern cricket. Even though there are many players older than Manish Pandey who are still performing at the highest level, team managements generally prefer to back younger players, trusting their potential and long-term value.

The KKR management probably feels that the current team combination does not require Manish at the moment. However, when needed, he will be ready to step in and give his best for the team, just like he has done in previous seasons.

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