IPL 2021: RR buddies Manan, Mayank ready to utilize learnings to excel in UAE

A bond that is deeper than cricket Rajasthan Royalsrsquo stylish batter Manan Vohra and young sensation Mayank Markande arenrsquot just teammates on the field but they also happen to be really close friends off it The two end up having honest discussions about various things and topics and Saturday evening witnessed a similar scenario when the two Punjabbased cricketers were in conversation ahead of the remainder of IPL 2021 seasonSpeaking from their hotel in Dubai Manan started the conversation by calling Mayank ldquoa very lazy characterrdquo He elaborated ldquoI have to always push him to go the extra mile in terms of everything even if itrsquos training Hersquos the kind of character who likes to go easy on things but Irsquom always the one telling him to go that extra mile because I know hersquos got immense talent and if he improves his work ethics he will be a definite player for the Indian team for a long timerdquoBut Mayank on the other hand was quick to respond to the claim ldquoIrsquom not lazy Irsquom like a normal person like everyone else but I think he Manan is extraordinary ndash I think even extraordinary is also an understatement for him laughs So if you donrsquot reach his level then he says Irsquom lazy but on a serious note I really appreciate him showing so much faith in merdquoTalking about Rajasthan Royalsrsquo ambitions and realistic goals for the season the duo was on the same page for a change with 28yearold Manan saying ldquoAs a group we are all looking to win the trophy It has been a long time since the franchise has won it and the best thing is that everyone in our group believes that the team has the potential to make a mark once again So wersquore aiming for the cup but will be mindful of taking it game by gamerdquo To which Mayank added ldquoOur spinners had done a great job in the UAE last year so I feel wersquore back to utilizing our strengths well We feel really confident going into this phaserdquoSumming up his own stint in the first phase of the season Manan stated ldquoI think my personal experience was good because I had been waiting for this opportunity for two years I was a little disappointed because I felt I couldnrsquot capitalize on the starts that I got however it means that I had a lot of learnings from those outings and have prepared well for the second legrdquoMeanwhile commenting on not being able to find a spot in the Rajasthan Royalsrsquo team during the first phase Mayank Markande said hersquos ldquohappy to wait for his opportunities and understands that the conditions in India werenrsquot favouring the spinners too muchrdquo but knows that his ldquochance will comerdquoWith the second wave of Covid19 taking India by storm earlier this year Manan also stated that the period was tough for him too due to a personal loss ldquoThe first two weeks after IPL were rough when I went back home because I lost my grandfather to whom I was extremely close but you have to be strong I was able to cope up with that but his memories and teachings are very precious to me and will stay with me foreverrdquo said an emotional MananMeanwhile Mayank who had started playing IPL at the age of just 20 spoke about how he has transformed into a much more matured bowler now ldquoWhen I first started playing IPL I didnrsquot have much experience But when I play now I feel Irsquove matured both as a player and as a person I think Irsquom mentally tough now and know how to deal with pressure and bowl in challenging situationsrdquo said the 23yearold who had picked up 15 wickets in his debut IPL season in 2018Referring to the short boundaries in Sharjah the youngster also added ldquoI believe a good ball is a good ball on any ground regardless of how small the boundaries are Itrsquos clicheacute but bowling at the right line and length is key at any ground and thatrsquos what we learned last season in the UAE as well Therefore wersquore hoping our learnings will help us this seasonrdquoHaving played one T20I for the Indian team Mayank added that he ldquodreams of making a comeback to the Indian team by performing well in the domestic circuit and then consistently play for the nation at the highest levelrdquoWhereas U19 World Cup winner Manan also added how he intends to use the upcoming season to make a case to the selectors ldquoEvery player on the circuit has the same dream and so do I I definitely want to play for the Indian team I think the upcoming domestic season again gives me a chance to get noticed Irsquom playing for Chandigarh now and will be leading them so Irsquom confident of taking my team to the latter stages of competitions through good performances which will help me in making a caserdquo expressed the righthanded batter who has 1054 runs in 53 IPL matches at a strikerate of over 130Also Read Farce and Furious