Abhinav Manohar Seeks To Foster Gujarat Titans' Winning Atmosphere At Shivamogga Lions

Abhinav Manohar has expressed his admiration for Ashish Nehra and aims to apply the lessons learned at Gujarat Titans when he plays for the Shivamogga Lions in the third edition of the Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, starting on August 15.

Reflecting on his preparations for the upcoming season in the premier T20 tournament organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Manohar emphasised making a few adjustments to his batting. "I haven't had as much game time as I would have liked, so I'm really looking forward to this tournament. I've been training hard and have made a few adjustments to my batting. I'm confident that I will do well this season," he added.

The star Karnataka batter has highlighted the significance of a positive team atmosphere, crediting Titans coach and former Indian fast bowler Nehra for fostering such an environment. He believes this atmosphere played a crucial role in players' performances. "One thing I learned is that atmosphere is crucial. No team can match the atmosphere at the Gujarat Titans, and a lot of the credit goes to Ashish Nehra. His energy is infectious, almost like a child's," Manohar said.

"Imagine managing 25 players during a six-hour training session, including international stars and young players. That environment helped players be themselves and do well, and I'm hoping to bring the same atmosphere here when I play for the Shivamogga Lions in the Maharaja Trophy."

At the Maharaja Trophy Season 3, which will be held at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Manohar will take on dual roles as both a senior player with IPL experience and the highest-paid player in the tournament for a second consecutive year. Speaking about this pressure, Manohar said, "It does feel good in a tournament like this, but I don't usually dwell on how much money I've been sold for. Whether it's five lakhs or 15 lakhs, my goal remains the same-to win matches for the team and contribute effectively."

Last edition, the Shivamogga Lions were restricted to the semi-finals. To excel this year, Manohar believes creating the right dressing room environment is key to unlocking the team's potential. "We have more squad depth this year, with options for every role. We also have a lot of young players who have excelled on the circuit. Our challenge is to create an environment where these youngsters can thrive," he noted.

Maharaja Trophy: A Platform for Emerging Talent

Manohar also highlighted the importance of the Maharaja Trophy as a breeding ground for emerging talent: "My journey started here, leading to an opportunity with Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and eventually with the Gujarat Titans." He added that it serves as a crucial platform for young players in Karnataka: "For young players in Karnataka, this has become a crucial platform. We know IPL scouts are watching, and it can also be a stepping-stone into Karnataka's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy team."

The Shivamogga Lions will begin their Maharaja Trophy 2024 campaign on August 15 against last season's runners-up Mysore Warriors at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.