"I could have got offended, but I realised the depth of that conversation" - Manan Vohra recalls Gautam Gambhir's advice during LSG stint
Indian batter Manan Vohra was roped in by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and represented the team for two years. However, he warmed the bench throughout the season in IPL 2022 and got just a single opportunity in the subsequent season.
Vohra was dismissed for 10 runs against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in his solitary appearance for LSG. The right-hander recently shared details about his chat with Gautam Gambhir, who was the mentor of the Lucknow-based team at the time. The 31-year-old mentioned that he spoke to Gambhir about getting dropped after just one game.
Speaking on Tanwar Kohli's YouTube channel, Manan Vohra stated:
"I went to Gambhir and had a chat with him. He told me, 'You're batting well'. Then I told him that I wanted to have a chat with you. I told him that I got just one match and got dropped. I am batting well, and anyone can get out in one match, and that was also a washout game."
He recalled how Gambhir gave him a blunt reply, telling him that not all players get multiple chances to prove themselves. He added that the reply made him understand that he needed to deliver, even if he got just one game.
Revealing Gambhir's response, Vohra said:
"He answered me very plainly-sweetly-simply and said, 'Life is different for everyone; some players get eight matches, some get just one. It's not everyone gets the same amount of matches, but if you have got one match, then you have to do it in that one match only, end of story,' and I was like stunned. I could have got offended, but I realised the depth of that conversation when he said if you are so good, then even if you have got one match, then you have to prove yourself and move ahead."
"That day I thought he is right, I can't blame anyone or the circumstances that it is happening to me, we often try to victimise ourselves that it's not happening like this or that. If you have got one match, you should be good enough, and you have to be so well prepared to make an impact so they will persist with you." he added.
Manan Vohra was released by Lucknow following the 2023 season and he remained unsold at the IPL 2024 auction. He has played 56 matches in the leagues and has 1,083 runs to his name at a strike rate of 130.64.
"I wanted that I should also get it" - Manan Vohra on Rajasthan Royals backing Riyan Parag
In the aforementioned video, Manan Vohra stated that before his conversation with Gautam Gambhir, he felt that he didn't receive the kind of backing Riyan Parag got from the Rajasthan Royals (RR). He pointed out how the RR team management persisted with Parag even during the youngster's rough phase.
Speaking about what went through his mind during his time with the Rajasthan team, Manan Vohra said:
"In Rajasthan Royals, Riyan Parag was like 17 when he came there, and I was there; he used to gel up with me a lot because, as a big brother to him, I used to be around him and guide him. He started getting the opportunities. He has always had the ability of brutal striking."
"He got the opportunities but there was a stage when he was not doing well but got the backing," he continued. "I didn't feel bad that he was getting the backing, and I didn't, but I wanted that I should also get it. It remained inside me for a couple of years till the time I met Gautam Gambhir at Lucknow, he was the mentor there two years back."
Apart from LSG and RR, Manan Vohra has also plied his trade for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL.