Manoj Kumar Tiwary, widely known as Manoj Tiwary, is an Indian cricketer hailing from Bengal. Born on November 14, 1985, in Howrah, West Bengal, Tiwary is an aggressive middle-order batsman who has shown glimpses of brilliance throughout his career.
Tiwary shot to prominence during the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy season when he amassed an impressive 796 runs at an astonishing average of 99.50. His remarkable performances not only set new records for Bengal, but also caught the attention of the national selectors, earning him a spot in the Indian touring party for Bangladesh.
Unfortunately, on the eve of his anticipated debut in Mirpur, Tiwary suffered a severe shoulder injury during fielding practice, crushing his dreams of representing the country. It wasn’t until early 2008 that he finally made his international debut, but a jetlagged Tiwary found himself outclassed against a fiery Brett Lee in Brisbane.
Despite these setbacks, Tiwary remained determined to make his mark in international cricket. Influenced by his idol, Kevin Pietersen, in his early years, Tiwary emulated Pietersen’s aggressive style of batting, exhibiting a preference for the front foot and an overall fearless approach. The Bengal cricketing fraternity affectionately nicknamed him “chhota dada,” drawing a parallel to Sourav Ganguly, another popular cricketer from Bengal.
For several years, Tiwary had to endure limited opportunities to prove his worth at the international level. However, he seized his chance during India’s injury-ridden 2011 tour of England, replacing the underperforming Rohit Sharma in the ODI squad. In a match against West Indies in Chennai, Tiwary notched his maiden ODI century, displaying his immense talent and potential. However, despite this achievement, he found himself inexplicably sidelined for an extended period.
After patiently waiting, Tiwary made his return to the national side during the ODIs in Sri Lanka and was subsequently included in the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 squad. Yet, his recurring injury issues plagued him in the following years, disrupting his progress. In 2013, after an eight-month layoff, Tiwary finally made his comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a domestic one-day competition. He was called up once again for the ODI tour of Bangladesh in June 2014.
Throughout his career, Tiwary has displayed resilience and a commitment to improve his all-around game, transforming himself into a more dependable and well-rounded cricketer. Despite facing numerous obstacles, he remains hopeful of emulating Ganguly’s remarkable comeback after six years in the wilderness following his debut, particularly with the passion and support of the Bengal cricketing fraternity.
Manoj Tiwary’s journey in cricket serves as a testament to his perseverance and determination. With the potential to shine, Tiwary’s admirers eagerly await his triumphant return to international cricket, anticipating a resurgence that will firmly establish him as a formidable force on the field.
