The Hindu : Sport : Tiwary sounds confident

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 30, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport

Tiwary sounds confident

K.C. Vijaya Kumar

— File Photo AP

Manoj Tiwary.

Rajkot: Manoj Tiwary has an air of assurance that reflects the quiet confidence of most young Indian cricketers these days. “I know I can contribute as a batsman, I can chip in as a spinner and I field well,” Tiwary said.

The words are a welcome relief, coming as it does from a 21-year-old player, who missed making his debut for India during the Bangladesh tour, last summer, owing to a freak injury.

The prolific batsman from Bengal, with 1152 first-class runs, fell down during fielding practice on the eve of the first match at Mirpur and suffered a muscle tear in his right shoulder.

The injury resulted in a corrective surgery at London.

“Those were the only days in my life when I never held a cricket bat. I hope to get back into the Indian team,” said Tiwary, who is part of the India ‘A’ team that is clashing with South Africa ‘A’.

In ‘D’ category

The fact that his name figures in the ‘D’ category of the BCCI’s graded payment scheme for players has helped.

“It feels good but I need to do well in domestic cricket to stay in that ‘D’ category. I come from a poor family and struggled to have my own kit until my coach Manabendra Ghosh helped me. I remember those days.

“Recently I have read Lance Armstrong’s books like ‘Every Second Counts’ and now I just want to score runs though the rains have been a problem,” said Tiwary before joining his India ‘A’ teammates.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail