‘Losing out on WC action shattered me’

After the double fracture thumb injury in Bangalore just before the India U-19 team was to depart for Australia for the Youth World Cup,Manan took rest for three months and then went into a rehab for one month. In total,he was out of competitive cricket for almost four months and had to miss most of the domestic season as well. After he recovered from that injury,Manan went to Delhi to take part in the local tournaments and once again showed his scoring touch by piling up big totals. He also took part in the inter-college cricket tournament representing DAV College Chandigarh. During the inter-college competition,he twisted his ankle and again had to take a 10-day break.

Recalling those days post thumb injury,this is what Manan had to say,”I was frustrated and depressed. I had been part of the Indian U-19 team for three international tournaments before the WC happened. I was all pumped up for the event. Unfortunately I injured my thumb and had to return home from Bangalore. For once I thought the world had ended for me. But it was my parents,sister and grandparents who were there for me in that dark phase. They lifted my spirits and told me to start the process from the scratch again. My morale was down. Losing out on the opportunities shattered me. Then I decided to let go off the frustration and work on my mental and physical fitness again. I worked hard in the gym,meditated and remained positive during the rehab. I think this injury changed me as a person. I built my temperament to a great extent.”

Vohra was involved in a record-chase with Unmukt Chand as India chased 164 against Australia in only 12 overs during a quadrangular series in India. Vohra was unbeaten on 79 off mere 35 balls.

When Manan injured his thumb,incidentally,his hero Yuvraj Singh was visiting the U-19 India team in Bangalore. When he came to know about Manan’s injury,he spent nearly two hours with him and gave him a pep talk. Yuvraj’s pep talk and his family’s support helped Manan come out of depression.Yuvraj has seen Manan grow up in front of him. It was Yuvraj’s father Yograj Singh who has trained Manan since an early age. “Yuvi paaji has set an example for everyone. If he can recover from such a big disease and have a successful comeback,I thought why can’t I do the same? That kept me going. I have worked on my game also. I have learnt to occupy the crease for a longer period and not give away my wicket that easily. I have developed few shots too.” Manan has been selected in the Punjab senior cricket camp for the T20 North Zone tournament.