Manish Pandey becomes third player to feature in all 19 IPL seasons, joining Kohli and Rohit

Key facts

• Manish Pandey played in all 19 IPL seasons, joining Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the only players to achieve the feat.
• He made his 2026 debut for KKR against SRH on May 3 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
• Pandey replaced Ramandeep Singh in the playing XI; Finn Allen also replaced Tim Seifert.
• He is the first Indian to score an IPL century, hitting 114 off 73 balls for RCB in 2009.
• Pandey has played 175 IPL matches, scoring 3,942 runs at an average of 29.41.
• He has represented six franchises: MI, RCB, PWI, KKR, SRH, LSG, and DC.
• MS Dhoni has not played in all 19 seasons due to a calf strain; he has 278 appearances.

A historic inclusion in Hyderabad

Kolkata Knight Riders brought Manish Pandey into their playing XI for the IPL 2026 fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, a decision that instantly elevated the 36-year-old into an exclusive club. With that single appearance, Pandey became only the third cricketer — after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — to have featured in at least one match in every season of the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008. The match, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, saw KKR win the toss and elect to bat first. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane confirmed two changes to the lineup: Finn Allen replaced Tim Seifert, and Pandey came in for Ramandeep Singh. Rahane noted that the team aimed to build on recent momentum, saying, "We wanted to bat first as well. Those breaks so far have really helped us as a team."

Joining an elite list ahead of Dhoni

Pandey's milestone places him alongside Kohli and Rohit, who have also played in all 19 editions. Notably, Pandey achieved the feat before MS Dhoni, who remains sidelined with a calf strain and has not yet appeared in the 2026 season. Dhoni, the most capped IPL player with 278 matches, has not played in every season, making Pandey's consistency all the more remarkable. Despite his longevity, Pandey ranks 20th on the all-time appearance list, with 175 matches. Kohli and Rohit are joint-second with 276 appearances each, behind Dhoni. The achievement underscores not just participation but adaptability across teams and roles over nearly two decades.

A journey across six franchises

Pandey's IPL career began with Mumbai Indians in 2008, though he saw limited action. The following year, Royal Challengers Bangalore gave him an opportunity, and he repaid their faith by scoring the first Indian IPL century — 114 off 73 balls against Deccan Chargers. That innings remains a landmark in the tournament's history. He moved to Pune Warriors India in 2011, then joined Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, where he played a match-winning knock in the final against Kings XI Punjab. After stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018–2021), Lucknow Super Giants (2022), and Delhi Capitals (2023), he returned to KKR in 2024 and was retained ahead of the 2026 season.

Numbers behind the milestone

Across 175 IPL matches, Pandey has scored 3,942 runs at an average of 29.41. His highest score remains the 114 not out from 2009. In the 2024 season, he played only one game; in 2025, he featured three times. His return to the XI in 2026 came as KKR sought to reverse a middling campaign — the team sat eighth in the points table with seven points from eight matches. The decision to include Pandey also reflected tactical adjustments: KKR aimed for a third consecutive win, having used a break to regroup. Rahane emphasized the importance of "winning those small moments" in a format where games can shift within an over.

Context and significance

Pandey's feat highlights a career defined by resilience rather than headline-grabbing consistency. While Kohli and Rohit have been mainstays for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians respectively, Pandey has moved between six franchises, often playing a supporting role. Yet his ability to remain in the league for 19 seasons — outlasting many contemporaries — speaks to his durability and adaptability. His achievement also draws attention to the broader narrative of longevity in the IPL, a tournament known for its churn of talent. Only three players have managed to appear in every edition, a testament to the physical and mental demands of the league.

What lies ahead for Pandey and KKR

With KKR fighting for playoff contention, Pandey's inclusion could provide a steadying presence in the middle order. The team's next fixtures will test whether his experience translates into runs. For Pandey, the milestone is unlikely to be his last — at 36, he remains a viable option for franchises valuing seasoned campaigners. His journey also raises questions about the next generation of players who might match this longevity. For now, Pandey joins Kohli and Rohit in a club that may remain exclusive for years to come.

The bottom line

• Manish Pandey is the third player to appear in all 19 IPL seasons, after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
• He achieved the milestone before MS Dhoni, who is out with a calf injury.
• Pandey was the first Indian to score an IPL century, in 2009.
• He has played for six franchises and scored 3,942 runs in 175 matches.
• KKR included him for the SRH match as part of two changes; the team is eighth in the standings.
• His longevity underscores adaptability in a highly competitive league.