Who is Manoj Bhandage?
Manoj Shivaramsa Bhandage (born October 5, 1998, in Raichur, Karnataka) is an emerging Indian all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium-fast. Currently playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL and representing Karnataka in domestic cricket, Bhandage is known for his explosive batting and handy medium-pace bowling.
Cricket Career Overview
Domestic Career
- Made his T20 debut for Karnataka in 2019 against Assam
- List A debut came in 2022 against Meghalaya in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Plays for Bijapur Bulls in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL)
- Represents Gulbarga Mystics and Mysuru Warriors in state-level tournaments
IPL Journey with RCB
- Signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2024
- Yet to make his IPL debut as of 2025 season
- Considered a promising talent in RCB’s developmental squad
Playing Style & Strengths
- Batting: Aggressive left-handed batsman with power-hitting ability
- Bowling: Right-arm medium-fast bowler with variations
- Fielding: Athletic fielder with safe hands
- Special Skills:
- Ability to accelerate in death overs
- Handy wicket-taking option with the ball
Manoj Bhandage’s Career Stats (2025 Update)
Batting & Fielding Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List A | 14 | 13 | 235 | 63 | 26.11 | 100.42 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 14 |
| T20 | 28 | 15 | 187 | 41 | 15.58 | 132.62 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 12 |
Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List A | 14 | 10 | 2/19 | 37.00 | 4.80 | 46.2 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | 28 | 18 | 3/19 | 24.05 | 8.66 | 16.6 | 0 | 0 |
Recent Performances (December 2024)
- 3/19 against Tamil Nadu in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- 2/28 against Gujarat in SMAT
- Scored 24 runs against Saurashtra
Key Strengths & Areas for Improvement
✔ Power-hitting ability in middle/lower order
✔ Handy medium-pace bowling option
✔ Athletic fielder in the outfield
✖ Needs more consistency in batting
✖ Should improve economy rate in T20s
Future Prospects
With his all-round abilities, Manoj Bhandage has the potential to:
- Break into RCB’s playing XI in coming IPL seasons
- Earn selection for Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy team
- Emerge as a domestic T20 specialist
Conclusion: Can Manoj Bhandage Become Karnataka’s Next Big All-Rounder?
While still early in his career, Manoj Bhandage has shown flashes of potential as a hard-hitting all-rounder. His development in the RCB setup could be crucial for his growth.
2025 could be a breakthrough year if he gets opportunities to showcase his talent in the IPL and domestic cricket.
FAQs About Manoj Bhandage
Q: When did Manoj Bhandage join RCB?
A: He was signed by RCB ahead of the 2024 IPL season.
Q: What is Manoj Bhandage’s highest score in List A cricket?
A: 63 runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Q: Has Manoj Bhandage played IPL yet?
A: Not yet debuted as of 2025 season.
Q: Which teams has he played for in domestic cricket?
A: Karnataka, Bijapur Bulls, Gulbarga Mystics & Mysuru Warriors.
Q: What type of bowler is Manoj Bhandage?
A: Right-arm medium-fast bowler with variations.
Would you like more details on any specific aspect of his game? Let us know!
