Karnataka have found a new all-round star. In only his second first-class match, 22-year-old Manvanth Kumar L scored a brilliant 135 against Saurashtra at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur.
On his first-class debut against Andhra, Manvanth scored 13 and 44, a total of 57 runs across two innings. Those knocks showed he had the patience for red-ball cricket. In his next game, he showed he can also take a match away from the opposition.
Manvanth Kumar's Rescue Act Against Saurashtra
Karnataka were in deep trouble at 194 for 8 when Manvanth walked out to bat. What followed was a fearless counter-attack. He scored 135 off 214 balls with 11 fours and six sixes, including a big hit off experienced left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat.
Abhilash Shetty gave him great support at the other end, facing 137 balls for his 14. Together with the tail, Manvanth took Karnataka from 194 for 8 to 342 all out, adding 148 crucial runs.
Maharaja Trophy Star
Manvanth first made his name with the Hubli Tigers in the Maharaja T20 Trophy. As a right-arm fast-medium bowler, he took 22 wickets in the 2023 edition, the most by any bowler in a single season of the tournament. He followed that with 16 wickets in 2024.
His batting has grown too. In the 2026 Maharaja Trophy, he scored 147 runs off just 72 balls, with a top score of 60.
A Rare Package for the IPL
Tall and lanky, Manvanth is a left-handed batter who bowls right-arm pace, a rare mix in Indian cricket. His aggressive, free-flowing batting has drawn comparisons with England's Ben Stokes.
He made his T20 debut for Karnataka in 2024 and was picked up by Delhi Capitals for INR 30 lakh soon after. With pace, big hitting and growing temperament, Manvanth could attract strong interest from IPL franchises ahead of this season's auction.
