India, May 21 -- The catching was always on point. Impeccable, actually. With one hand stretched backward and his body airborne, Manish Pandey, at backward point, made time stand still to stun RCB's Tim David a few games back. Then came another one for the highlights reel-a difficult running chance to dismiss Nishant Sindhu that Pandey made look procedural, almost dull through sheer efficiency.

For most of this IPL season Pandey had existed on the fringes of Kolkata Knight Riders' campaign. On most days, making catching look like second nature. On some days, he was seen with his helmet on, gloves tucked under his arm, padded up and waiting.

A senior pro in a tournament that increasingly races past players of his type. And yet, on Wednes...