CHANDIGARH: From being ruled out of the 2012 U-19 World Cup with a fractured right thumb, a day before the team’s departure to getting a boot from the Punjab Ranji Trophy squad in the 2018-19 season, Manan Vohra, 27, has seen it all.
Not long ago, he was touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, his dashing approach was even compared to Virender Sehwag. However, his career has followed a different script from someone who was once a prodigy.
“Setbacks have made me realise that there is life beyond cricket. You have to live in the present and need to stay away from negative emotions. When I played for India A, I thought this is it, I am close to represent my country. I started thinking ahead of the time, and then boom life happened,” Manan tells TOI in a free-wheeling chat.
By his own admission, the year 2017-18, 2018-19, was the worst phase of his life. He was not playing regular cricket for Punjab, he was getting out after scoring brisk 20s or 30s, but then destiny played a part in his life. In 2019, the UT Cricket Association (UTCA) got recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Manan was chosen to lead Chandigarh.
There was a drastic change in Manan’s style of play, when he began a second innings for Chandigarh. He was not the dasher anymore. It was a different Manan. He looked content, poised and has learnt to put price on his wicket. He led his team from the front and ended up as the leading run-getter for debutants Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare.
“Being a captain adds more responsibility on you. It is not about individual anymore, everyone looks up to you. For the past two years, my focus has shifted from personal glory to team’s success. I want to win matches for Chandigarh, and as a captain I have to show the way. I can’t keep throwing my wicket after getting a good start,” says Manan.
“The other thing is that I am playing with more freedom. I am not playing to save my place in the team. I will always cherish the sweet memories of playing for Punjab, but the uncertainty of losing your spot after one or two bad games has hampered my cricket,” he adds.
Often hailed as one of the India prospects, a young Manan saw his journey derail, and over the years, he has matured. Now the leader in him has one advice for the youngsters in his team, ‘life isn’t a race’.
“You can’t score hundred or take a five-wicket haul in every match. Yes playing for India should be the ultimate goal, but one has to trust the process. You are playing in the ‘Elite Group,’ let’s enjoy it. This is what I told every youngster in the Chandigarh squad,” says the swashbuckling opener.
“When I was 20, I never received any guidance. I was told that you have to score runs in every match, which added unnecessary pressure on me. I even forget as a teenager at the first place, why I fell in love with the game. It was not for glory, it was simply the joy of ball hitting the sweet spot of the bat,” he reflects.
Chandigarh had a roller-coasting ride in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. They began with a bang, defeating fancied sides like Haryana, Bengal, and the Services in their first three matches. Chandigarh looked set to qualify for the knock-outs but back-to-back losses against Saurashtra and Jammu and Kashmir ended their fairy tale.
With 276 runs in five innings, including a century and two fifties, Manan was the leading scorer for the Chandigarh.
“In my opinion, by not qualifying for the knock-outs, was a blessing in disguise. We did very well in the tournament and I am very proud of the squad. But after winning three on the trot, we started thinking about the knock-outs and forgot that we have to play Saurashtra and J&K next, who are two seasoned teams,” asserts Manan.
“As a group, we have learned a lot. Even against Saurashtra, chasing 389, we never gave up. We kept chasing the score. The biggest positive for me is the fearless cricket, we played in the tournament,” he adds.
The opener is now gearing up for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represents Rajasthan Royals. Interestingly, the right-handed batsman has not got a single game for the Royals in the past two years.
Reflecting on his time with the Royals, he said: “I have not played a single game in the IPL for two years now, it is frustrating to be honest. But at the same time, the franchise has showed faith in me and I was retained. It is easy to get bitter but the important thing is to work on your game. I will have to impress the team management and yes, if I get a chance I will have to grab it with both hands.”