Cricket in India has always been a story of hard work and determination, and one such inspiring story is that of Ishwar Pandey. This tall fast bowler from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh did not have the facilities of a cricket academy, but he had talent. Since then, he has reached the point where he has earned the right to wear the national Indian cricket jersey.
Let us take a detailed look at his career, statistics, debut, personal life, wife, net worth and much more.
Ishwar Pandey was born and raised in Rewa, a small town in the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. His father, a retired junior officer in the army, wanted both his sons to prioritize studies and lead a disciplined life. Interestingly, Ishwar had nothing to do with a cricket ball until he completed his class 12 exams.
One day, he went to a selection trial for the Rewa divisional team with his friends, and his natural ability to bowl fast caught the attention of the selectors. Within months, he was representing the Madhya Pradesh Under-19 team, proving that sometimes raw talent can open new avenues in cricket.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall, Pandey had natural athleticism, broad shoulders and a strong physique. He attributed all this to his father’s strict lifestyle and strong discipline.
Pandey’s breakthrough came in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, where he was nothing short of sensational.
Matches: 8
Wickets: 48
Average: 21.06
He became the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and one of the most promising young fast bowlers on the domestic circuit. His ability to bounce back even on quiet Indian pitches was unrivalled.
His stellar performances in the Ranji Trophy earned him a call-up to the India A team. On the 2013 tour of South Africa, he impressed the selectors with his discipline and ability to trouble quality batsmen. Soon, he was invited to bowl in India’s net sessions alongside international stars.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) provided Pandey with a big platform.
In 2013, he was signed by Pune Warriors India.
After the team was disbanded, he moved to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
Though opportunities were limited in the IPL, Pandey still made a mark with his hard lengths and control. His time with CSK helped him learn from legends like Dwayne Bravo, Ben Hilfenhaus, and Dhoni himself.
Ishwar Pandey’s consistent domestic and A-team performances led up to his maiden call-up to the Indian national team in December 2013.
He was included in the squad for the tour of New Zealand in early 2014.
Although he did not get many international matches, being part of the squad was a recognition of his talent and hard work.
Pandey’s journey to the Indian team was a testament to how domestic dominance can open international doors.
Here’s a look at Ishwar Pandey’s career stats across domestic and franchise cricket:
Format |
Mat |
Inns |
Balls |
Runs |
Wkts |
BBI |
BBM |
Ave |
Econ |
SR |
4w |
5w |
10w |
FC |
75 |
129 |
14094 |
6819 |
263 |
8/84 |
11/120 |
25.92 |
2.90 |
53.5 |
11 |
13 |
3 |
List A |
58 |
57 |
2851 |
2338 |
63 |
4/44 |
4/44 |
37.11 |
4.92 |
45.2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
T20s |
71 |
69 |
1464 |
1727 |
68 |
4/20 |
4/20 |
25.39 |
7.07 |
21.5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Format |
Mat |
Inns |
NO |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
BF |
SR |
100s |
50s |
4s |
6s |
Ct |
St |
FC |
75 |
93 |
23 |
945 |
63 |
13.50 |
1111 |
85.05 |
0 |
1 |
78 |
66 |
22 |
0 |
List A |
58 |
34 |
6 |
127 |
20 |
4.53 |
207 |
61.35 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
T20s |
71 |
23 |
7 |
109 |
19* |
6.81 |
88 |
123.86 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
5 |
17 |
0 |
Despite his cricketing achievements, Ishwar Pandey has always lived a simple and grounded life. His father’s influence as a disciplined army man shaped his lifestyle.
Ishwar Pandey is married, though details about his wife have been kept private. He prefers to maintain a low-profile personal life, away from the media spotlight.
He has often given credit of his success to his family, especially his father and coaches. This is because with their support he wouldn’t have made his unconventional cricketing journey this far.
While Ishwar Pandey may not have had an extended international career, his earnings came through:
Domestic cricket contracts with Madhya Pradesh
IPL contracts (Pune Warriors India & Chennai Super Kings)
Brand associations at the local level
Around $1-2 million (₹8-15 crore INR)
This includes his cricket contracts, IPL salaries, and assets.
Highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy 2012-13 with 48 wickets.
Represented India A in multiple tours.
Selected in the Indian Test and ODI squad for the New Zealand tour in 2014.
Played in the IPL for two franchises – Pune Warriors India and Chennai Super Kings.
Took 300+ wickets in first-class cricket, a testimony to his consistency.
Although Ishwar Pandey’s international career was short, he is one of the fastest domestic bowlers India has produced in the 2010s. His story is an inspiration to small-town cricketers, showing that dedication and hard work can lead to a place at the highest level.
Even though he may not have achieved anything major in India, he is still one of the most reliable bowlers from Madhya Pradesh for domestic matches.
Ishwar Pandey’s cricketing journey is the story of a small town boy who rose to national prominence through hard work. From getting a chance at the selection trials in Rewa to playing for the India team, Pandey has shown that passion can overcome obstacles.
It is true that his time in international cricket was short, but his legacy as a key player for Madhya Pradesh will always be remembered.
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In December 2013, Ishwar Pandey was first called up by India for the tour of New Zealand in early 2014.
He represented Pune Warriors India and later Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League.
He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, taking 48 wickets at an average of 21.06.
Ishwar Pandey’s estimated net worth is between $1-2 million (₹8-15 crore INR), mostly derived from domestic cricket and IPL contracts.
Yes, Ishwar Pandey is married, but he keeps the details of his wife and personal life away from the media spotlight.