Royal Challengers Bangalore's Pandey played for Mumbai Indians in 2008 before being roped in by his state franchise. Only recently, he was a thorn in Mumbai's flesh during the Ranji final. and if he scores against tendulkar's indians today, he could well be called...

Former Indians Pandey could spoil Mumbai's party

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Manishu00a0Pandey played for Mumbai Indians in 2008 before being roped in by his state franchise. Only recently, he was a thorn in Mumbai's flesh during the Ranji final

Ask the former India greats to pick their future India players and Manish Pandey's name figures in almost everyone's list.

RCB's Manish Pandey acknowledges the cheers after reaching his ton
against Deccan Chargers at Centurion in IPL-II. pic/AFP

As Mumbai Indians take on Royal Challengers Bangaloreu00a0 in the Indian Premier League game at the Brabourne Stadium tonight, Pandey will be among the young talents who will be under the spotlight. For the local crowd, he's the boy who almost single-handedly took the Ranji Trophy away from Mumbai this season as he smashed a belligerent 140 plus in the second innings.

In fact, he started his IPL career in Mumbai Indians coloursu00a0-- in the first edition -- but did not make much of an impact in the couple of games he played.

Is he looking to prove a point and impress MI skipper Sachin Tendulkar? "Not really, there is nothing to prove. I just want to go and continue the way I'm batting. The first time I was picked was through the BCCI (as an under-19 player). I played a few games and later Bangalore roped me in. It feels nice to be part of your state team," Pandey told MiD DAY yesterday.

The move to Challengers has really worked wonders for Pandey's career. He's become a star player for the Bangalore team and has established himself as a key player for the Karnataka state side.u00a0 "I'm happy the way things have gone, actually things started going right after second season, when Kumblebhai sent me to open the innings in the IPL. Since then, opportunities opened up and I have performed well," said Pandey.

Pandey is lucky in the sense that he's sharing the dressing room with two of the most dedicated and disciplined India cricketers, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. So, what has he learnt from them? "One thing which I learnt from them was how to handle yourself. If you see our dressing room we have so many great players.

"Be it Rahulbhai or Anilbhai, even (Jacques) Kallis. They are all big players. They have achieved so much. But despite being so great, their feet are so grounded and that is what I want to be. The way they prepare themselves is amazing," he said.