Pandey will play for India: Ray Jennings

Manish Pandey failed to open his account against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, but Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) coach Ray Jennings is confident that sooner rather than later this 20-year-old will don Indian colours.

“He (Manish) will play for India one day. We just have to keep on pushing him towards the kind of levels at which international cricket is played — the way he trains and the way he plays,” said Jennings.

The South African went on to add, “He is going to have an innings like he had against the Knight Riders, but he is also going to have an innings like he had in South Africa against the Deccan Chargers. The innings against the Chargers was a classy one.”

RCB’s South African coach also feels that players like Pandey should be given a chance in the playing XI even if it means putting extra pressure on the seniors. Jennings believes that it is the youngsters who will carry forward the RCB flag.

“We at Royal Challengers identify him (Manish) as a future player as much as Virat Kohli. We are going to make sure that we give that guy as much opportunity, even though we put ourselves under pressure but that is our future,” Jennings added.