Manvanth Kumar hits 135 in only his second First Class match for Karnataka

Manvanth Kumar scored 135 for Karnataka against Saurashtra at the Aluru Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru in the Ranji Trophy Elite match on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The innings came in only his second First Class match.

Karnataka collected just one point from the match and has two from its opening two Ranji Trophy fixtures. The 22-year-old has accumulated 223 runs in four innings for Karnataka.

He reached 135 off 214 balls, striking 11 fours and six sixes. Manvanth came in at No. 9 when the score was 187 for seven. It was his maiden First Class century.

Manvanth first made a mark as a fast bowler. He was the leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets in Hubli Tigers’ title-win in the 2023 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20. In Karnataka’s 2023-24 Col. C.K. Nayudu (U-23) Trophy triumph, he took five for 36 in the final against Uttar Pradesh.

R. Vinay Kumar was Manvanth’s mentor at Hubli Tigers. R. Smaran, under whom Manvanth made his First Class debut in Andhra ten days ago, captained him during the C.K. Nayudu triumph. “He’s one of few players in the current crop who can make it big,” said Vinay. “He is a stroke-maker, and my message to him is clear — express yourself. He’s a very good bowler too, and can easily touch 135-plus,” the former India pacer added.

He grew up in Mysuru and his father was a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus driver who now runs a travel agency. “I never wanted to be in a comfort zone,” Manvanth said. “I always wanted to build a career in Bengaluru. I have no distractions now. Cricket is the only thing on my mind.”

Come Monday he will line up against Tripura at the SDNR Wadiyar Stadium inside the University of Mysore campus. Aged 12, Manvanth had started his sporting journey at the Mysore University Colleges Sports Council under coach Mansoor Ahmed.