"Not even as an impact substitute" - Dodda Ganesh lashes out at RCB for not utilizing Manoj Bhandage's potential 

Former India player Dodda Ganesh has criticized the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for not giving an opportunity to the emerging Manoj Bhandage over the last two seasons. The uncapped player is wreaking havoc in the early stages of the Maharaja T20 Trophy for the Mysuru Warriors.

Bhandage scored a stunning unbeaten 58 runs off 33 deliveries with the aid of five fours and three sixes while batting at No.7 to help his side post 182. However, his knock went in vain as the Bengaluru Blasters chased down the total, as Bhandage chipped in with 1.2 overs.

In the second match of the tournament, he scored an unbeaten 42 runs off 16 deliveries at a strike rate of 262.50 to help his side win a rain-curtailed clash against Shivamogga Lions. He was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his heroics.

Bhandage, however, has not availed a chance to showcase his ability in the Indian Premier League (IPL) so far. He was roped in by RCB for ₹20 lakh in the IPL 2023 mini-auction. Despite the franchise facing serious lower-middle order issues following Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell's blitz in the top three, Bhandage failed to make it to the playing XI.

Social media hailed Bhandage's recent knocks in the Maharaja T20 Trophy, and Dodda Ganesh replied to one of the fans' insights on X.

"I’ve been harping about him from 2 seasons now. But the @RCBTweets benched him for 2 editions straight and didn’t give him a game. Not even as an impact substitute. Manoj Bhandage is one of the clean strikers of the cricket ball. Hope some franchise gives him the opportunity," Dodda Ganesh wrote.

Dodda Ganesh was recently announced as the new head coach of the Kenya national men's cricket team.

"In a tournament like the IPL, you get to learn something new every day, even when you’re not playing" - Manoj Bhandage

Despite not getting an opportunity in the IPL, Bhandage has attributed his stint with RCB as beneficial, considering the high-performance environment and rubbing shoulders against some of the best in the business.

“In a tournament like the IPL, you get to learn something new everyday, even when you’re not playing. It can be anything — it can be about your technique, it can be about yourself. It’s not easy to stay away from your family, step out of your comfort zone and keep travelling everywhere. Especially when your team isn’t doing well, now, it’s time for me to implement all these learnings in the Maharaja Trophy," Bhandage recently told Cricket.com.

He will be in action during the Mysuru Warriors' upcoming clash against the Gulbarga Mystics on Sunday, August 18.