'Being a Bangalore boy, it would be nice to play for RCB' - Abhinav Manohar reveals future aspirations

Playing in conditions familiar to a player as well as in front of their home crowd will always be a player's favoured setting, be it at any level whatsoever. After all, there is always that deep-rooted longing for the pride.

It is very much the same for Bengaluru-born batting all-rounder, Abhinav Manohar, who has been representing Gujarat Titans (GT) since the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In a recent discussion, he revealed his central craving to represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and lamented not getting picked by GT to play at the Chinnaswamy in the past. 

"Being a Bangalore boy, it would be nice to play for RCB. Over the past few years, we have played in Bangalore, but I haven't got a chance to play, and I really wish that I had played, because I think I know this wicket pretty well, and it is a batting track, and it would be any batsman's dream to play in Bangalore in the IPL because six-hitting is very easy, the ground is pretty small," said Manohar in an interview with Wisden.

Furthermore, Manohar also highlighted that his primary objective would be to get to play for his native franchise. However, given the different aspects attached to the IPL auctions, some unexpected drama and selections happen. Hence his main focus would be to play for whichever franchise opts to pounce on him in the upcoming mega auction.

"I feel it would be great to play for your home side as well. Let's see. I mean, auction dynamics are very funny, and you don't know which team you're going to go to. So, I’m just hoping I get to go to a team which I get to play for, that’s all," he further mentioned.

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The dream would be to play for India: Manohar

Moving on, during the same interview, Abhinav Manohar discussed the future prospects he had forecasted in his mind. The talented batter iterated that he was just a good IPL season away from knocking on the door of national selection. However, he also laid due emphasis on being in the moment.

He also went on to disclose the blueprint he had mapped for the next couple of years concerning his professional career. Notably, Manohar was in rampaging form during the Maharaja T20 Trophy 2024 during which he scored 507 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 196.51. Interestingly, all the matches were played in Bengaluru.

"I know that I'm just one or two good IPL seasons away from breaking into at least the India ‘A’, or Indian side. So my goal is to just work hard and take it one game at a time. If I think too much into the future, I tend to overthink and try and become too eager and desperate," the GT batter continued.

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"But yes, the dream would be to play for India. I mean, growing up as a kid, you want to wear that blue jersey. So, I'm hoping for a good IPL season this year and next year, and I'm just hoping to break into the side," Manohar concluded.