Ahead of the 2024 Maharaja Trophy, Abhinav Manohar shares Ashish Nehra’s lessons

The lessons Abhinav Manohar learnt during his time with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League are with him as he gets ready to play for the Shivamogga Lions in the third Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20. He acknowledged that Ashish Nehra, the coach of the Titans and a former fast bowler from India, had fostered a positive team culture. He thinks the players’ success was aided by this setting.

“I’ve discovered that atmosphere matters a lot. Ashish Nehra deserves a great deal of credit for creating an atmosphere at the Gujarat Titans that no team can equal. His enthusiasm is contagious; it’s almost childlike. During a six-hour training session, picture overseeing 25 players—both young and international players. I hope to create a similar culture here when I represent the Shivamogga Lions in the Maharaja Trophy. That environment allowed players to be themselves and perform well.”

Abhinav Manohar will take on the dual duties of being the highest-paid player in the event for the second year running and a veteran player with IPL experience during the Maharaja Trophy Season 3, which kicks off on August 15 at the storied Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“It does feel good in a tournament like this, but I don’t usually dwell on how much money I’ve been sold for,” Manohar remarked, addressing the pressure that comes with being the highest paid player in the competition. My objective is still the same, regardless of the amount—to win games for the team and make a significant contribution.”

In the previous edition, the Shivamogga Lions could only go to the semifinals. The 29-year-old thinks the secret to realising the team’s potential and succeeding this year is setting up the proper atmosphere in the locker room. “With possibilities for every position, our squad is deeper this year. Many of our young players have achieved success on the tour. Our task is to establish an atmosphere that will enable these children to flourish,” he stated.

Abhinav Manohar focused on modifying his batting style while thinking back on his preparations for the forthcoming season.

“I’m definitely looking forward to this competition because I haven’t had as much playing time as I would have wanted. I’ve been working out a lot, and I’ve changed up how I bat. I’m sure I can succeed this season,” he continued.

In addition, Manohar emphasised the Maharaja Trophy’s significance as a development ground for young players, saying, “My path began here, leading to an opportunity with Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and eventually with the Gujarat Titans.” For younger participants in

Karnataka, this is now a really important platform. It may also serve as a springboard for Karnataka’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy team, as we are aware that IPL scouts are observing.”

At Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Shivamogga Lions will kick off their campaign on August 15 against Mysore Warriors, the runners-up from the previous season.