‘Had Dhoni given me a chance, my career would have been different': Former CSK star player

Despite making it to the India's Test squad for England tour back in 2014, the Madhya Pradesh-born bowler haplessly never got a chance to play for India.

However, he featured in Indian Premier League (IPL) where he represented three franchises, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Pune Warriors and Rising Pune Supergiants. From 25 IPL games, he took 18 wickets at an average of 32.83 and an economy rate of 7.68 runs per over. but had excellent numbers in First-Class cricket with 263 wickets in 75 matches.

Meanwhile, Pandey revealed that had Dhoni reposed a little more faith in him and given him a few more chances, his career would have seen a different trajectory and he would have ended up playing for India.

"If Dhoni had given a chance, my career would have been different. Then I was 23-24 years old and my fitness was also very good. Had Dhoni bhai given me a chance and I would have done well for the country, my career would have been different for sure," Pandey was quoted as saying by The Dainik Jagran.

Pandey played his final First-Class match against Kerala in March this year and finished his career with 263 wickets from 75 matches. In T20, he played 71 matches and took 68 wickets with best bowling figures of 4/20 runs. The fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh had represented CSK and Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL, and was also a part of the MP squad that won the Ranji Trophy for the first time ever.

"Though I was not fortunate enough to play a game for my country but still to be a part of Indian team will always be the most special memory of my life," Pandey wrote in his retirement post on Instagram. "I would like to thanks RPSG and CSK for further selecting me. To be a part of CSK team and to play IPL finals and winning Champions League was special. I absolutely loved my time playing for CSK for 2 years under the guidance of MSD and Stephen Fleming."

In the List A format, he took 63 wickets at an average of 37.11 including four four-fers. However, Pandey has not retired from the white-ball domestic tournaments.
 

Earlier, in a statement, he regretted not getting a chance to play for India in international cricket. 
 

Here is his full statement –
Today the day has come and with a heavy heart, I have decided to retire from International and First class cricket. I began this incredible journey in 2007 and till date I have enjoyed every single moment spent on and off the field. Going back to my early days from how I started to see myself to reach where I am today is immensely satisfying. I feel proud and blessed that I have achieved a bit in my life. Coming from a very small town and to be the first one to make it to Indian cricket team from Rewa (MP) was always a dream and to achieve that will always be my biggest achievement.
 

From getting up early in the morning, riding my cycle 20 kms every day in the morning and evening for my training, thinking about cricket 24/7 – it was a struggle which I will forever cherish.
 

It was an honour to be a part of the Indian team for the test series against England and New Zealand. Though I was not fortunate enough to play a game for my country but still to be a part of Indian team will always be the most special memory of my life.
 

I still feel bad that I couldn’t get a game to play for my country and i will always be known as a uncapped Indian cricket player.
 

To share dressing room with modern day greats like Virat Kohli M S Dhoni Yuvraj Singh Suresh Raina Ishant Sharma Ravindra Jadeja Bhuvneshwar Kumar was very special and to have played a match against Legend Sachin Tendulkar Sir was like a dream come true. I started watching cricket because of him and i have always admired him since my childhood. Thanks to Rising Pune super giants for giving me the IPL exposure for the first time. It was a huge opportunity for me to play against the biggest global stars in the most loved T20 league in the world. I would like to thanks RPSG and CSK for further selecting me. To be a part of CSK team and to play IPL finals and winning Champions league was special. I absolutely loved my time playing for CSK for 2 years under the guidance of MSD and Stephen Fleming. To have a successful journey there are many people who provide you the support and guidance in the background. I would like to thank BCCI, my state association Madhya Pradesh cricket association for believing in me and giving me opportunity to do well for my state and various teams i played for. MPCA gave me the platform to make my name and fulfill all my childhood dreams.
 

I would also like to thank Rewa division and all the clubs i played for where i started my cricket journey.
 

Thanks to my Mother and my Late Father who I hope would be proud of what i have achieved in cricket. My little girl, Ashvika, who inspires me to be a better person every day. Thanks a lot to my wife Akshita for always supporting me through my thick and thin, my close friends Varun Sharma, Udit Birla , Dheerendra Chauhan for being my constant. Special mention to Mr. Alok Birla for being a vital part of my cricket journey.
 

I would like to thank Kamal Shrivastava (kakka), Aril Anthony my coach, Sanjay Jagdale Sir, Amay khurasiya Sir for making me work hard and giving me the right guidance to become a better player. I would be forever grateful to Chandrakant Pandit sir for always believing in me and making me a part of the historic Ranji trophy winning team. My state Captains – Devendra Bundela and Naman Ojha, thanks a lot for backing my abilities.
 

Cricket for me is everything and I will always love to be connected to this game.
 

To all my fans and well wishers, I would like to thank you and i will want you all to keep supporting me with love you have always given me. Forever grateful and blessed – Ishwar Pandey!