Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has sharply criticized the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for failing to harness the potential of all-rounder Manoj Bhandage in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite being on RCB’s roster for the past two seasons, Bhandage has been left warming the bench, with the team not giving him a single opportunity to showcase his skills, even as an impact substitute.

Dodda Ganesh lashes out at RCB 

Bhandage, who is currently playing in the ongoing Maharaja Trophy T20 2024, has been in outstanding form. Representing the Mysore Warriors, the 25-year-old has made a strong statement with the bat, scoring 100 runs in just two games. His performance has been nothing short of brilliant, further highlighting RCB’s oversight in not utilizing him in their IPL campaigns.

Makarand Waingankar, a well-known cricket columnist and former cricket administrator, took to Twitter to praise Bhandage’s recent exploits.

“25-year-old diminutive left-hand batsman and right-hand medium pacer from Raichur in Karnataka can be a pocket dynamo if the national selectors are looking for an all-rounder for T20. He times his big shots to perfection like Rinku Singh but knows well how to plan an over,” Waingankar tweeted on X.

25 yr old diminutive left hand batsman and right hand medium pacer from Raichur in Karnataka can be a pocket dynamo if the national selectors are looking for an all-rounder for T20. He times his big shots to perfection like Rinku Singh but knows well how to plan an over.

— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) August 17, 2024

Ganesh, who has been vocal about RCB’s poor performances in the past , responded to Waingankar’s tweet with frustration.

“I’ve been harping about him for 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 #MaharajaTrophy,” Ganesh replied to a Waingankar tweet.

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… https://t.co/YiGYLkqb7j

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 17, 2024

Also WATCH: Manish Pandey shows an unbelievable fielding effort in the Maharaja Trophy T20 2024

Ganesh as Kenya’s head coach

Meanwhile in a significant development, Ganesh was recently appointed as the head coach of the Kenyan national cricket team. The announcement was made on August 13 at the Sikh Union Club, where Ganesh was formally introduced to the Kenyan cricket fraternity. Known for his fiery pace during his playing days, Ganesh brings a wealth of experience to the role and has set his sights on restoring Kenya to the upper echelons of world cricket.

Ganesh, known for his right-arm medium-fast bowling, was the leading bowler for his domestic team, Karnataka. In his sole One Day International against Zimbabwe during the 1996-97 season, he claimed one wicket and gave away 20 runs in five overs. Over the course of four Test matches played in South Africa and the West Indies, he took five wickets at an average of 57.40. Despite refining his bowling action later on, he struggled to return to the national team.

Also WATCH: Rahul Dravid’s son Samit smashes a spectacular six in the Maharaja Trophy T20 2024

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