IPL 2024: Fans Feel Sad For Manish Pandey After KKR Don't Use Indian Batter as Impact Player vs CSK

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Some section of the fan base felt sad for Indian batter Manish Pandey during Kolkata Knight Riders' 7-wicket loss to Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday (April 8).

Pandey, who was the handed a comeback by the franchise in the auction last year, was seen padded up and ready to come in as an impact player when KKR were struggling against CSK's spinners.

However, the Indian batter never walked out to bat as KKR used all-rounder Anukul Roy as their impact substitute at number 9 in the closing stages of the innings, which ended at 137/9.

KKR had named Pandey, Roy, Suyash Sharma, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sakib Hussain as their substitutes with hopes of bringing on the mystery spinner Suyash on for the second half, but their plans failed after their batting flopped.

Some fans felt sad for the Karnataka player, who was geared up with helmet on to bat at some point of the innings. KKR supporters expressed their opinions on social media during the match and after the match as CSK chased down the target with 14 balls to spare.

While a few fans sympathised with Pandey, a few were unhappy after seeing him being ready to bat. Plus some fans questioned the spots of Ramandeep Singh and Venkatesh Iyer in the line up on a sluggish pitch where the Karnataka player could have been a better choice.

"Manish Pandey" is padding up instead of Russell when current run rate is barely touching 6," one fan posted on X with a video clip when Pandey was seen in full gear.

Majority on the social media platform also felt sad for the IPL-winner with KKR by simply posting, "Feel sad for him" with the image of the batter seen all geared up and ready to bat.

Ramandeep made 13 off 12, while Venkatesh Iyer contributed just 3 off 8 balls, leading to some fans questioning their inclusion in the playing 11 on a pitch which is more suited to players like Pandey and Nitish Rana.

Fans continued posting some hard-hitting questions at KKR, who lost their first match of the season after playing in three high-scoring games earlier this season.

Shreyas Iyer's KKR, who beat Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals before the loss to CSK, will look to bounce back quickly when they host Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday (April 14).