Pandey played a composed knock of 45 off 33 balls on a difficult two-paced surface as KKR chased down 148 in 18.5 overs to keep their playoff hopes alive. He also stitched crucial partnerships with skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Rovman Powell during the tense chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking after the match, Pandey said he remained mentally prepared despite spending the previous four games waiting on the sidelines as he was placed down in the order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cGreat opportunity for me, as you rightly said. For four games, I was padded up, waiting for my chances. But I think the way we batted the last four games was unbelievable, and you kept on pushing me down the order. That\u2019s completely fine,\u201d he told Abhishek Nayar in a video released by IPL on X.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"As we say, we keep changing, we use the opportunity left, right, and middle. That\u2019s the game plan. When I was told I was batting at number three, I started preparing myself as soon as I was coming out of the ground,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pandey credited Rahane\u2019s guidance during the chase and highlighted the importance of building partnerships on a challenging wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTalking to Ajju (Ajinkya Rahane), he kept telling me about having a small partnership and watching the ball closely. That\u2019s what I did. The partnership between me and Ajju and then me and Rovman was really crucial. It took us to the stage where 25 were needed off the last 25 balls,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pandey further spoke about his preparation and the importance of trusting the process despite limited opportunities earlier in the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It\u2019s an everyday process. Preparing for IPL, you\u2019re coming after the domestic season. For me, it was about working on fitness and spending time on the wicket. I was preparing for a long time for this tournament,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pandey further spoke about his preparation and the importance of trusting the process despite limited opportunities earlier in the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, KKR\u2019s bowlers restricted the Mumbai Indians to 147\/8, with Cameron Green and Saurabh Dubey picking up two wickets each. Powell later added a quickfire 40 before Rinku sealed the chase with a boundary as KKR stayed alive in the race for the playoffs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n