In the glamorous, high-octane world of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where fame and fortune dance on the edge of every match, Manan Vohra’s journey has been nothing short of a dramatic rollercoaster ride.
The 31-year-old batsman, known for his explosive style, had a tough stint with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Vohra found himself on the sidelines for almost both seasons, getting a chance in just one game.
And that was a rain-affected IPL 2023 game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where the former Rajasthan Royals (RR) batsman could manage just 10 runs, and it completely changed his fortunes in the IPL.
An IPL match against CSK that changed everything for Manan Vohra
Well, frustrated with his lack of opportunities, Manan Vohra took a bold step and sought out a candid conversation with then LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir, who offered him profound clarity that completely changed his understanding of his role in the competitive world of the game.
Reaching out to Gautam Gambhir, Manan Vohra expressed his disappointment over his limited chances as the former Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman believed he was in great form and deserved more game time. Gambhir’s response was both blunt and helpful, sharing a deeper truth about the brutal nature of professional cricket.
Manan Vohra revealed that Gautam Gambhir told him that the reality of the game is not always fair – some players get multiple chances while others get just one. Gambhir’s main message was clear – players must grab every opportunity with unwavering determination and prove their worth because the game waits for no one. It was a wake-up call for Vohra.
I might have been offended by Gautam Gambhir: Manan Vohra
Manan Vohra said on Tanwar Kohli’s podcast on his YouTube channel: “I went to Gambhir and had a chat with him. He said, ‘You are batting well’. So I told him that I wanted to have a chat with you. I told him that I had only one match and I was bowled out. I am batting well and anyone can be bowled out in a match, and that was also an elimination match.”
Instead of taking offense, the former PBKS batsman saw Gautam Gambhir’s direct message as a crucial lesson in resilience. Vohra further recounted, “He replied to me very clearly, sweetly and simply and said, ‘Life is different for everyone; some players have eight matches, some just one.’”
He signed off by saying, “Not everyone has the same amount of matches, but if you have one match, then you have to do it in that match only, end of story.” I was stunned. I could have been offended, but I realized the depth of that conversation when he said, “If you are so good, then even if you have one match, then you have to prove yourself and move on.”
After the 2023 season, Vohra was released by LSG and went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction. He has played 56 IPL matches in his career so far and scored 1,083 runs. However, Vohra’s talent is undeniable but the competitiveness in the IPL remains relentless for him.
