The domestic season has started with a bang for Chandigarh cricketer Manan Vohra. With three back-to-back centuries under his belt in the ongoing U-25 cricket tournament being played for Col. CK Nayudu Trophy,Manan has given a strong statement to his critics who had labelled him as a T-20 batsman by scoring over 450 runs in the five matches for Chandigarh in the Punjab inter-district cricket tournament for Katoch Shield Trophy. Manan last played in Ranji Trophy for Punjab in 2012,but he still hasnt found a place in the state senior Ranji team. He is now looking to score more runs in the next stage of the CK Nayudu Trophy in the match against Mumbai and also make his case stronger for a berth in the Ranji squad. Speaking to Sportline about his current form,Manan,20,said,"It was important for me to score runs in matches that I was playing. I worked hard ahead of Katoch Shield and then CK Nayudu. I was under a lot of pressure and I wanted to prove a point to myself. I was a bit nervous ahead of the domestic season as I had not played much for the state last season, but when I played for Chandigarh in the Katoch Shield,I got my confidence back. I carried forward that rhythm and confidence in the CK Nayudu Trophy and managed to score with a free mind." Manan scored 135 n.o. against Tamil Nadu,132 against Railways (Punjab won both the matches) and 103 against Baroda (which Punjab lost). It was during the two-day practice matches played at Himachal Pradesh ahead of the Col. CK Nayyudu Trophy that helped Manan return to his best. "I scored 450 runs in the inter-district tournament but the real test for me was to play outside Punjab. When I scored an unbeaten knock of 135 runs in a match at HP,I was quite convinced about my form. Thereafter,I started playing with a positive frame of mind. I had been criticised before for going for too many shots during my innings. So,I worked on it and decided to play big innings. I am quite focused on my cricket right now and want to make most of the opportunities." Manan,an opener,plays for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Manan is part of the Gitansh Khera-led Punjab U-25 team that is competing in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy. Misses Ranji call-up When asked whether he was expecting a call-up for the Punjab Ranji outfit,Manan replied: "I was expecting a call-up for the Ranji match against Haryana but I am not disappointed. The selectors must have thought of something. I am focused on the game against Mumbai and also on scoring more runs. I am sure I will be noticed if I continue to score runs for the Punjab U-25 team."
