Centurion Park

Manish Pandey had watched Virat Kohli lift the Junior World Cup in Malaysia last year.

On Thursday, it was the turn of Kohli to do that watching as the 19-year-old Royal Challengers’ batsman hogged the limelight by becoming the first Indian ever to score a century in the Indian Premier League.

Pandey, playing only his third game of the IPL II, hammered a breathtaking unbeaten 114 which left many at the Super Sports Park and also in his opposition in a daze. Kohli was the first to congratulate his teammate but so sensational was the effort that even Deccan Chargers’ skipper Adam Gilchrist went to greet the youngster.

Above all, Manish’s swashbuckling knock ensured a semifinal berth for the Royal Challengers. The right-hander, opening the innings, hit 10 fours and four sixes to guide his side to a total of 170 which Deccan Chargers were needed to knock off in a ridiculous 11 overs to eliminate the Bangalore side out of the competition. The Hyderabad team could not do it even in 20 overs. They lost by 12 runs.

The outcome spelt doom for Kings XI Punjab as the Preity Zinta’s team’s hopes of making the semifinal have ended. It also meant the Deccan Chargers will have to be back here at the Centurion on Friday to take on table toppers Delhi Daredevils in the first semifinal. The second semifinal will be an all-south contest between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers.

Deccan started their chase on a breezy note, openers Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs putting on 68 in less than seven overs. But the Bangalore bowlers did well after powerplay. Gibbs threatened to take away the match from Bangalore for some time but once he was gone for 60, Hyderabad’s challenge wilted. They finally managed 158 for 6. Anil Kumble, who opened the attack for Bangalore, finished with impressive 2 for 23. He now has 17 wickets from 14 games at an economy rate of under six per over. He is also among the top-three bowlers. Balachandra Akill conceded only 18 runs in his four overs.

Manish displayed the temperament of a veteran in building his innings. It was the second century of the IPL II. Manish’s belligerent knock came on a day when Mumbai Indians ended their dismal campaign with another defeat. Manish was with the Mumbai team last year and was sold to Bangalore this year. He proved to be a super buy for Vijay Mallya, whose side continued their fightback after being in the danger of missing a semfinal berth at one stage.