Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra commended Manish Pandey for his exceptional catch during a recent IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite Kolkata’s loss, Pandey’s one-handed catch to dismiss Tim David left a lasting impact on viewers. Chopra highlighted the rarity of such outstanding fielding moments in a season marred by dropped catches.
The remarkable catch occurred during the 18th over of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s chase, with Virat Kohli leading the charge. Pandey’s acrobatic effort at backward point to catch David’s shot amazed spectators and players alike. While there was initial uncertainty about the catch’s validity, television replays confirmed the brilliance of Pandey’s athleticism.
Describing the catch as one of the best in IPL history, Chopra emphasized Pandey’s contribution to the game over the years. Despite Pandey’s heroics, Kolkata Knight Riders couldn’t stop Kohli from scoring an unbeaten century, leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory. With this win, RCB secured the top spot on the IPL 2026 points table.
