Abhinav Manohar was on fire in the Maharaja Trophy 2024. Playing for the Shivamongga Lions, the power hitter smashed 507 runs at 84.5 and struck just under two runs a ball. The 29-year-old has been playing for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL since 2022 and has had a few good performances but nothing concrete that seals his place.
Considering that the IPL 2025 mega auction is mere months away, the chances of his retention weren’t looking that great. Until the last mega auction in 2022, a franchise could only be allowed 4 retentions. However, the BCCI are yet to finalize the number, and we could see an increase from 4 to 6 or even 8.
Gujarat Titans IPL 2024 struggles = Opportunity for Abhinav Manohar
But, Abhinav’s scintillating performance in the Maharaja Trophy may have turned things in his favour ahead of the IPL 2025 season. Under new captain, Shubman Gill, the Titans couldn’t find their feet in 2024. The absence of Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami proved to be fatal, as they ended with just 5 wins in 14 matches. From two consecutive finals to ending 7th, wasn’t something the GT management would be happy with.
The batting barring Sai Sudharsan and Gill wasn’t that great. Abhinav got just two opportunities and couldn’t do much scoring a meagre six runs. The only other batter who did well was David Miller. But as a finisher, you can’t really expect big runs for the South African. This is where Abhinav can come in.
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He played in the middle-order during the entire Maharaja Trophy and could prove to be a vital cog in GT’s somewhat weak batting line-up. Miller and Rahul Tewatia are already there to finish the innings; that is where Abhinav can thrive. He can take the game forward in the middle over (7-15) and set the stage up for them, so that they can swing freely from the get go.
Abhinav scored quick and big in the Maharaja Trophy. In 10 matches, the right-hander scored 6 half-centuries and smashed 63 boundaries. He hit a boundary in every every four balls (2, and impressively, 52 of these were 6s. Titans haven’t been able to fill the hole Hardik Pandya’s departure left behind, and while Abhinav can’t match him in bowling, he might just be able to punch his weight with the bat.
Abhinav Manohar’s Maharaja Trophy 2024 stats
| Inns | Runs | Balls | Avg | SR | 100s & 50s | 4s & 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 507 | 258 | 84.50 | 196.51 | 0 & 6 | 11 & 52 |
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