Life has come a full circle for Manoj Tiwary. He got his maiden call-up for Bangladesh tour in 2007 but missed the action because of a dislocated shoulder. While injuries have repeatedly plagued him, Tiwary hopes his return for the ODI series against Bangladesh can prove to be a 'rebirth' of sorts.
"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," the 28 year old Tiwary told PTI here on Thursday after he was named in the 15-member Indian team for the three-match ODI series in Bangladesh. (Also read: Suresh Raina to lead India in Bangladesh )
Asked whether he expected a call-up for this tour, Tiwary replied, "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," said Bengal's most prolific run-getter in domestic cricket.
Tiwary also thanked the national selectors for their support.
"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."
Tiwary feels that mental toughness is one aspect he imbibed from his tough childhood and subsequent hardships as a domestic cricketer.
"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," said Tiwary, who played a few good knocks in what otherwise was a disastrous campaign for Delhi Daredevils.
He had to bear the disappointment of being benched for 14 matches after his maiden international ton but he has no complaints. "In life and cricket, there are no guarantees. I have to grab each and every opportunity that comes my way," he concluded.
Story first published on: Friday, 30 May 2014 13:47
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