The Rise of Abhinav Manohar

As more state associations in India launch their own T20 leagues, attracting the attention of IPL scouts, the talent pool in the country has never been wider. Yet, only a select few make the leap to the IPL stage. Among them is Karnataka's Abhinav Manohar.

Power-Hitting T20 Star

In his second phase as a T20 batter, Manohar has added a new dimension to his game. This season, during the Maharaja T20 Trophy—Karnataka's premier T20 league—Manohar showcased his extraordinary ability to clear the boundary. While all matches were held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a venue known for its high-scoring games, his 52 sixes dwarfed the next best tally of 27 by Karun Nair. Despite his team, Shivamogga Lions, finishing fifth out of six, Manohar topped the run charts with 507 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 196.51, the highest for any batter with at least 200 runs. His power-hitting, particularly in six-hitting, stood out. Manohar credits his success to relentless practice, revealing that in each training session, he faces around 300 balls and aims to hit 150 sixes against various types of deliveries. This rigorous routine, he believes, has paid off.

Confidence Helps

Manohar admits that his confidence has grown, which has significantly improved his power game, something he hadn’t fully tapped into earlier. He remarked that his ability to clear any boundary gives him the confidence to back himself more than he did in previous years.

Apart from his aggressive intent, Manohar has also focused on refining his technique over the last few months. Entering the season with no specific goals, he was content to apply what he had recently worked on. He acknowledges the crucial role his two batting coaches, Mithun Manhas from Gujarat Titans and Sudhindra Shinde in Bangalore, have played in his success. Manohar is grateful for their consistent support, stating that they deserve half the credit for his achievements in the Maharaja Trophy. He views this success as just the beginning of something greater.

To maintain his composure while batting, Manohar has learned to stay relaxed, even in high-pressure situations. He prefers to keep things light-hearted before stepping onto the field, often joking around in the dressing room to stay calm. His pre-game practice involves casually knocking the ball around to loosen up his shoulders, which helps him maintain focus without getting too serious about the game’s conditions or his partner’s performance.

Domestica and  IPL Experiences

Manohar's domestic cricket journey began with Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) during the 2021-22 season. At 27, when many cricketers are at their peak, Manohar made his debut and immediately sought to make up for lost time. In his T20 debut against Saurashtra in the preliminary quarter-final, he delivered a match-winning 70* off 49 balls, including six sixes, rescuing Karnataka from a precarious position. In his first T20 tournament, he amassed 162 runs in four innings at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 150, contributing significantly to Karnataka’s journey to the final.

In February 2022, during the IPL mega auction, Gujarat Titans (GT), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Delhi Capitals (DC) engaged in a bidding war for Manohar. GT eventually secured him for INR 2.6 crore, a staggering 13 times his base price. Reflecting on his first IPL experience, Manohar described playing alongside stars like Hardik Pandya, David Miller, and Rashid Khan as surreal. Although he only played in eight of GT’s 16 games that season, he cherished the experience, particularly GT’s title win.

While Manohar had a modest start in the IPL, he formed valuable partnerships with Hardik Pandya, contributing crucial cameos. Manohar expressed admiration for Pandya’s positive energy and approachable nature, appreciating his support both on and off the field.

Despite a quiet IPL 2022, Manohar’s explosive batting kept him in GT’s plans for 2023, where he continued to serve as a finisher. Though he only appeared in two games in 2024, Manohar took away important lessons from his 19 IPL matches across three seasons. He emphasised the importance of backing oneself and maintaining a steady mindset, learning not to let emotions take control—an area where many players struggle.

Manohar's form continued in the Maharaja Trophy in 2022, where he scored 352 runs at an average of 70.40 and a strike rate of 175.12, finishing as the highest run-scorer for Mangalore United. His performance carried into the SMAT 2022-23 season, where he played all eight matches and shone in the quarter-final against Punjab, scoring an unbeaten 62.

At the Maharaja Trophy auction, Manohar was the highest earner, bought by Shivamogga for INR 15 lakh. He became the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 258 runs. However, his sights are set on something even bigger—the mega IPL auction for 2025. Manohar hopes to stay with GT and get more playing time in the upcoming season. He believes he has fine-tuned his game this year and is eager to carry his form from the Maharaja Trophy into the IPL.

Objectives Beyond T20

But the IPL is just one of Manohar's goals. He also aims to secure a permanent spot in Karnataka’s List A side, where he has only played seven games since his debut in December 2021. Additionally, he aspires to make his mark in first-class cricket, a format he has yet to play. Manohar hopes the selectors will recognise his versatility, seeing him as more than just a T20 specialist. He has been honing his skills and mindset to excel in longer formats and is confident that, given a fair chance, he will perform well.

Ultimately, Manohar dreams of donning the India jersey. He believes that a couple of standout seasons in the IPL could pave the way for him to break into the national team, citing Riyan Parag’s recent debut against Sri Lanka as an example.