Manoj Bhandage

Manoj Bhandage, a promising left-handed batting all-rounder, has emerged as one of Karnataka's bright talents in recent years. His journey began in Raichur, where he honed his skills amidst the lively atmosphere of tennis ball cricket. Transitioning to Bengaluru, Bhandage focused on refining his abilities, particularly his prowess in six-hitting, during the early stages of his career.

Bhandage first garnered attention in the cricketing arena during the Karnataka Premier League in 2018, where his stellar performances for Bengaluru Blasters caught the eye. His all-round skillset earned him a spot in Karnataka's T20 squad during the 2018-19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Despite facing inconsistency early in his career, Bhandage's fortunes took a significant turn during the 2022 edition of the Maharaja T20 Trophy. With 162 runs from 8 games at an SR of 167.01 and 10 wickets, he emerged as a linchpin for Gulbarga Mystics on their path to clinching the title. His breakthrough continued as he made his List-A debut for Karnataka later in 2022 during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

In 2023, Bengaluru recognized Bhandage's potential and acquired his services for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. Unfortunately, he warmed the bench the entire season but it did not hinder his confidence and the talent was there for everyone to see at the Maharaja T20 Trophy later in the year. He set the stage alight for the Mysore Warriors, scoring 164 runs from 9 matches at a blistering SR of 192.94.

Bhandage's upward trajectory continued in domestic cricket, notably during the semi-final of the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy where he delivered under pressure, scoring 63 runs off 39 balls to bail his team out of trouble. Having been retained by Bengaluru for the 2024 Indian Premier League season, Bhandage will be eager to make his mark in the tournament and realize his potential as a dynamic all-rounder on the cricketing stage.