I just want to play well and deliver the goods for KXIP in upcoming games: Manan

“I was nervous at the start of the match but when we entered the ground,I forgot all the things and just concentrated on the game. While batting,I just played my natural game and went for the shots. The ball was coming nicely on to the bat and I just made room and went for the shots,” Manan,the man of the match,told The Indian Express from Pune,while adding,”The next match is at the PCA Stadium in Mohali where all my friends and family will be present. I am hoping to carry forward the form and deliver the goods for the KXIP team. For now,the nervousness is over.”

His only regret was Yuvraj opting out of the game due to back spasms,so Manan will have to wait a bit longer to play in the same game as his hero. But even his hero appreciated his batting effort and walked up to him to congratulate Manan. Incidentally,Yuvraj has seen Manan grow up in front of him and it is Yuvraj’s father Yograj Singh who has trained Manan since an early age.

Manan began his innings like a dream,smashing four boundaries in the fourth over bowled by Ashok Dinda. Playing against a seasoned pro like Dinda,Manan hardly gave the impression of a rookie in IPL.

It was his talent that caught the imagination of the Kings’ management,as Manan was drafted into the KXIP Development squad two seasons ago but could not make it to the KXIP outfit last season as the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) had barred any of its U-22 cricketers to take part in IPL.

Manan was also unlucky at the beginning of the season when a double-fracture thumb injury before the India U-19 team’s departure for Australia for the Youth World Cup ruled him out of the tournament. He had to take rest for three months and undergo rehab for one more month which made him miss most of the domestic season as well. After recovering from the injury,Manan went to Delhi to take part in the local tournaments and once again showed his scoring touch by piling up big totals. After that,he twisted his ankle during an inter-college match in Chandigarh.

“There was a time when I thought all doors were shut on me. I was depressed and frustrated. Missing out on the U-19 WC was quite shattering for me. I was doing well for the India U-19 team for almost a year but could not make it to the team. Then it took a lot of time for me to recover. But I am happy that that phase is over and IPL is taking place,” shared Manan.