Manish Pandey had a nightmarish outing last year when he represented the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural IPL.

In the two innings that he played in his three appearances, the Bangalorean could score only three runs.
Come 2009 and what a turnaround the 19-year-old has had!

Pandey first became the first Indian centurion in IPL to ensure Royal Challengers Bangalore's place in the semi-finals on Thursday and then on Saturday, his match-winning knock of 48 at the top of the order not only gave him his second Man of the Match award but, more importantly, set up RCB's stunning six-wicket victory over favourites Chennai Super Kings in the semi-final.

A delighted RCB coach Ray Jennings hoped that Pandey will be a force to reckon with.

"I have been watching Manish since the Under-19 World Cup and I always had in my mind," Jennings said after the semi-final.

"I always had an eye on him. The moment I got a confirmation that he was not re-signing with the Mumbai Indians, I told my bosses on January 2 to sign him and they immediately obliged. I want to see him grow and becomes a top-class cricketer.

"The next two years are very crucial for him in that aspect."