Tiwary ready for comeback after absence

Cricket365
July 27, 2014

India batsman Manoj Tiwary has not played for the national side in two years, but is hoping his recall for the one-day tour to Bangladesh will lead to bigger things.

The 15-man squad for the three ODIs is a somewhat second string side, but Tiwary is not concerned, even though he was part of a dire Delhi Daredevils line up in the IPL and made only two good scores.

Seven years ago, a year before his actual debut, Tiwary was part of a tour to Bangladesh but he got injured before he could play. He feels it is apt that he could get back in the side in the same country.

Tiwary told <i>PTI</i>: "Injuries and Bangladesh invoke strange kind of feeling in me. It was Bangladesh in 2007, where I received a maiden call-up and then had shoulder dislocation.

"It's in Bangladesh that I am making a comeback in the national team. Indeed life has come a full circle for me with this call-up."

He said that he hadn't expected a call-up but wasn't shocked either, having kept up his game as Bengal's highest domestic run-getter, and felt his previous chances were scuppered by injury, not a drop in form.

He said: "Look, when I was out of the squad, it was because of my knee injury and not poor form. Just before that I had scored a hundred for India A against Australia. So once I was match fit, I knew my time would come.

"Once, I became match fit, selectors told me that they would keep a tab on my performance. I am thankful to them for having trust in my ability. This is a much-needed opportunity and I would like to give my 200 percent.

"I have had injuries and I know how to deal with them. I never lost faith in god and he wanted to test my mental fortitude. I had the support of my wife Sushmita during tough times. I knew I can't let negative thoughts creep my mind. I love that blue jersey too much to think of anything else.

"In life and cricket, there are no guarantees. I have to grab each and every opportunity that comes my way."