Manish Pandey rules out career in Army

After becoming the first Indian batsman to slam a century in the IPL, Manish Pandey is convinced that he is made to fire with bat in cricket fields than firing bullets in the battlefield.

Pandey on Thursday smashed a scintillating unbeaten 114 as Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a semifinal spot after beating Deccan Chargers by 12 runs.

Pandey, who whacked only the second century of the IPL-II, said joining Army was second career option for him but now he need not pursue that.

"I think the plan has changed now. I just had an option that if cricket would not work for me then I would join the Army," he told official IPL website.

The youngster said it was skipper Anil Kumble's backing and coach Ray Jennings' faith that did the trick for him in the high-pressure match.

"In the team meeting he (Kumble) told me that I would open the innings today. He said he has faith in me and told me to back my abilities. He said the track looked good and no matter how badly I played I would still score good runs.

"Jennings told me to play my natural game. He told me not to fear failure and to have fun in the centre," he said.

Pandey was ecstatic after scoring a match-winning knock.

"It is amazing. I just thought I would back myself today. And it worked. I realised only when I reached 87 that I could make a century here. I am happy to match AB de Villiers feat of scoring a century in the IPL tournament in South Africa.

"It was a nice wicket to bat on. The ball was coming on nicely. And I got my timing going early in my innings," he said.

Talking about his on-field strategy, he said, "When I saw Sachin Tendulkar batting I somehow felt that I can also do it on this track. I am a great admirer of Tendulkar.

"I told myself that I would play a ball on merit. Once I got my timing and swing of the bat right, I knew I could bat through the innings. I think today was my day."