Riddled with injuries to their foreign players even before their Champions League campaign began, Delhi Daredevils’s stand-in coach David Saker had called for the domestic players to rise to the occasion.

Reeling at 47/4, with all the big names back in the dug out, Mithun Manhas answered his coach’s call, steering his team towards a decent score against Victoria Bushrangers in their opener.

Just as Manhas got his eye in, a hamstring pull forced him to bat with a runner for the rest of the innings. Although he top-scored in a losing cause, Manhas’s injury has made his availability doubtful for the rest of the tournament.

“The injury did occur at the wrong time. If not for the injury then maybe we could have topped the group and gone in with the advantage of carrying points into the next round,” the 30-year-old said speaking to Sportline.

“Injuries are a part and parcel of the game and I am taking it in my stride. I see it as a part of life and hopefully the recovery is on its way,” the batsman said.

Although Manhas sat out for the crucial fixture against Wayamba, he is hopeful that exercise and physiotherapy will get him back in the middle before tournament’s conclusion.

“To be honest, I do hope to play a part in the Champions League once again despite the injury. I have been regularly hitting the gym and am also undergoing intense physiotherapy and rehabilitation with Daredevils physio Justin Steer. He has been a great help,” he said.

This hope of recovering in time has seen Manhas fly with the Daredevils for the second round of the event.

“I will be travelling to Bangalore with the team and am not completely out of the picture. It’s all about how fast I recover. I am feeling much better now,” Manhas said.

With the selections already underway for the Delhi Ranji Trophy team, Manhas believes that his fitness will not be a hindrance for that long.

“I don’t think I will be missing out on the Delhi camp. My injury should be ok in about a week or so. I will be completely alright by the time the Champions League ends to get started with the Ranji Trophy build-up,” he said.

Even though he has led his state side for a few years in the past, Manhas feels that captaincy will be an exciting challenge if the selectors turn in his direction.

“It all depends on the selectors to be honest. If they are looking to blood youngsters with the responsibility, there are plenty around. If I am asked to take over, I will be happy with the challenge and give it my all,” the former Delhi captain said, adding, “It is a feeling of great pride to be leading Delhi or any other state side for that matter. I will always cherish it. But at the moment, my thoughts are firmly fixed on the recovery for the Champions League.”

Aditya Iyer