<p>Pandey yesterday smashed a scintillating unbeaten 114 as Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a semifinal spot after beating Deccan Chargers by 12 runs.<br /><br />Pandey, who whacked only the second century of the IPL-II, said joining Army was second career option for him but now he need not pursue that.<br /><br />"I think the plan has changed now. I just had an option that if cricket would not work for me then I would join the Army," he told official IPL website.<br /><br />The youngster said it was skipper Anil Kumble's backing and coach Ray Jennings' faith that did the trick for him in the high-pressure match.<br /><br />"In the team meeting he (Kumble) told me that I would open the innings today. He said he has faith in me and told me to back my abilities. He said the track looked good and no matter how badly I played I would still score good runs.<br /><br />"Jennings told me to play my natural game. He told me not to fear failure and to have fun in the centre," he said. <br /><br />Pandey was ecstatic after scoring a match-winning knock.<br /><br />"It is amazing. I just thought I would back myself today. And it worked. I realised only when I reached 87 that I could make a century here. I am happy to match AB de Villiers feat of scoring a century in the IPL tournament in South Africa.<br />"It was a nice wicket to bat on. The ball was coming on nicely. And I got my timing going early in my innings," he said.<br />Talking about his on-field strategy, he said, "When I saw Sachin Tendulkar batting I somehow felt that I can also do it on this track. I am a great admirer of Tendulkar.<br /><br />"I told myself that I would play a ball on merit. Once I got my timing and swing of the bat right, I knew I could bat through the innings. I think today was my day."</p>
<p>Pandey yesterday smashed a scintillating unbeaten 114 as Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a semifinal spot after beating Deccan Chargers by 12 runs.<br /><br />Pandey, who whacked only the second century of the IPL-II, said joining Army was second career option for him but now he need not pursue that.<br /><br />"I think the plan has changed now. I just had an option that if cricket would not work for me then I would join the Army," he told official IPL website.<br /><br />The youngster said it was skipper Anil Kumble's backing and coach Ray Jennings' faith that did the trick for him in the high-pressure match.<br /><br />"In the team meeting he (Kumble) told me that I would open the innings today. He said he has faith in me and told me to back my abilities. He said the track looked good and no matter how badly I played I would still score good runs.<br /><br />"Jennings told me to play my natural game. He told me not to fear failure and to have fun in the centre," he said. <br /><br />Pandey was ecstatic after scoring a match-winning knock.<br /><br />"It is amazing. I just thought I would back myself today. And it worked. I realised only when I reached 87 that I could make a century here. I am happy to match AB de Villiers feat of scoring a century in the IPL tournament in South Africa.<br />"It was a nice wicket to bat on. The ball was coming on nicely. And I got my timing going early in my innings," he said.<br />Talking about his on-field strategy, he said, "When I saw Sachin Tendulkar batting I somehow felt that I can also do it on this track. I am a great admirer of Tendulkar.<br /><br />"I told myself that I would play a ball on merit. Once I got my timing and swing of the bat right, I knew I could bat through the innings. I think today was my day."</p>