Abhinav Manohar

Abhinav Manohar

Role: Right-handed Middle-order Batsman
DOB: 16 September 1994
IPL Team (2026): Unsold (since 2024)
Base Price: ₹20 Lakhs (last known base price)

The Story of Abhinav Manohar

Abhinav Manohar burst onto the IPL scene as one of the exciting uncapped talents from Karnataka, a state renowned for producing a steady stream of cricketing stars. Born in Bengaluru, Manohar honed his skills in the robust domestic circuit, quickly earning a reputation as a clean striker of the cricket ball. His journey to the IPL was a testament to his consistent performances in state-level tournaments, particularly the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where his aggressive batting style caught the eye of franchise scouts looking for dynamic middle-order options.

He made his much-anticipated IPL debut in 2022 for the Gujarat Titans, a franchise that would go on to lift the trophy in their maiden season. Manohar quickly showcased glimpses of his potential, particularly with his fearless approach against both pace and spin. His ability to find boundaries from the get-go, often under pressure, made him a valuable asset in the lower middle-order, providing crucial impetus to the innings. While his opportunities were somewhat limited in a star-studded lineup, he made sure to leave an impression with his impactful cameos.

Manohar’s playing style is characterized by his powerful hitting and quick scoring rate. He possesses a strong bottom hand and a natural ability to clear the ropes, making him particularly dangerous in the death overs. He prefers to attack from the outset, aiming to disrupt the bowlers’ rhythm and shift momentum. While primarily a batsman, his athleticism in the field adds another dimension to his game, making him a complete package for the T20 format. His journey, though brief so far, has been marked by flashes of brilliance that hint at a larger potential.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Abhinav Manohar’s entire IPL career has been spent with a single franchise, the Gujarat Titans. He was first acquired by the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 mega-auction for a significant ₹2.6 Crores, a testament to the high regard in which his domestic performances were held. The Titans saw him as a potential finisher and a dynamic middle-order batsman who could provide quick runs when needed. In his debut season (2022), he played 8 matches, often coming in at crucial junctures and contributing with quick-fire scores, including a memorable 43 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He was retained by the Gujarat Titans for the 2023 season, indicating the team’s continued faith in his abilities. In 2023, he featured in 6 matches, continuing his role as an impact player. While he couldn’t consistently convert his starts into big scores, his strike rate of 150.00 highlighted his intent and ability to accelerate. Post the 2023 season, with the Titans looking to re-strategize and bring in new talent, Manohar was released. He subsequently went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction, and as of 2026, he remains outside the IPL fold, awaiting another opportunity to showcase his power-hitting prowess.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

From a betting perspective, Abhinav Manohar is a classic high-risk, high-reward player, particularly when given a clear role as a finisher. His primary strength lies in his exceptional power-hitting ability and his knack for finding boundaries quickly. This makes him an interesting bet for “Total Sixes” or “Player to hit most Sixes” in specific matches, especially on smaller grounds or flat pitches where the ball comes onto the bat well. His career strike rate of 142.62 underscores his aggressive intent, making him a candidate for quick cameos.

However, his weaknesses include a relatively short IPL career and limited exposure against top-tier international bowlers, particularly quality spin on turning tracks. He often bats lower down the order, which means fewer balls and higher pressure, leading to inconsistency in big scores. Bettors should consider his role and the match situation carefully. Bet on Manohar when his team is chasing a high total, and he’s expected to come in with a license to thrill. He thrives when the field is spread, and he can unleash his power. Conversely, betting against him might be wise on slow, gripping surfaces or when he’s forced to build an innings, a role he’s less accustomed to in the IPL. Keep an eye on team news for his batting position; a promotion up the order could signal a higher scoring potential, while a consistent lower-order role means fewer opportunities but potentially higher strike rate impact.

Key Records & Milestones

• Part of an IPL Winning Squad: Abhinav Manohar was a member of the Gujarat Titans team that won the IPL 2022 title in their debut season.
• Highest IPL Score: His best individual performance came with a quickfire 43 runs off just 28 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022, showcasing his ability to accelerate.
• Impactful Strike Rate: Maintained a career IPL strike rate of 142.62, highlighting his aggressive approach and ability to score quickly in the T20 format.
• Consistent Boundary Hitter: In his limited IPL appearances, he managed to hit 16 fours and 8 sixes, demonstrating his boundary-hitting capability.

IPL Season Highlights

Abhinav Manohar’s IPL journey, though brief, has seen him deliver some impactful performances. In his debut season, IPL 2022, playing for the Gujarat Titans, he quickly made a name for himself as a fearless striker. His standout innings came against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he smashed 43 runs off just 28 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. This knock, played under pressure, helped the Titans post a competitive total and showcased his potential to take on established bowlers. He consistently provided quick cameos, often scoring at a strike rate well above 130, proving his worth as a lower-order aggressor.

In the IPL 2023 season, Manohar continued to feature for the Gujarat Titans, albeit in a more sporadic role. He played 6 matches, maintaining his aggressive intent with a strike rate of 150.00. While he didn’t register a fifty, his quick 27 runs off 13 balls against Delhi Capitals, featuring 2 fours and 2 sixes, was another example of his ability to provide crucial impetus to the innings in the death overs. These short but impactful innings cemented his reputation as a player who could change the momentum of a game in a few overs, even if he didn’t always get the chance to play a longer innings.