"Dukh to hota hi hai": Manoj Tiwary recalls how MS Dhoni and BCCI dented his confidence

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has opened up about his controversial sacking from the national cricket team over a decade ago. Manoj Tiwary blamed then Team India skipper MS Dhoni and the Board of Control (BCCI) for 'crushing' his confidence at the 'peak of his career' in cricket.

Earlier this year, Tiwary had said that he would ask MS Dhoni why he was the only player dropped from the team, especially when players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were also struggling to score runs. He played 12 one-day internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals between 2008 and 2015.

I Would Lie If I Said It Wasn't Saddening - Manoj Tiwary

In a recent interview with Cricket Addictor, Manoj Tiwary said that it is still painful for him to be dropped from the Indian squad at the peak of his career. Tiwary said that he might share more details in a future autobiography or podcast.

"See, it happened a long time ago. It's a matter of the past, but yes, dukh to hota hi hai (It was sad). I would lie if I said it wasn't saddening. What can we do? It’s life; but it needs to move forward. If I am to write my autobiography or I do a podcast of my own, I will reveal it all. But it wasn't easy. When a player is at his peak, when his confidence is crushed, it causes a change in mindset," Tiwary told Cricket Addictor in a chat.

Manoj Tiwary Made His International Debut for Team India in 2008

Tiwary debuted in ODIs in 2008 but had to wait three years for another opportunity. He scored a century in just his sixth ODI. However, he struggled to maintain his spot on the team. The former batter missed the next 14 matches under MS Dhoni's captaincy, which hindered his career progression.

In July 2012, Tiwary was given another opportunity in ODIs against Sri Lanka, where he impressed by taking four wickets and scoring a half-century. The Bengal-born cricketer returned to the Indian team for a match against Bangladesh in June 2014, and his last three ODIs came in Zimbabwe in July 2015.

Always A Warm Feeling To Reunite With Them - Manoj Tiwary

Manoj Tiwary recently played in the Legends League Cricket for the Manipal Tigers. He expressed his excitement about playing alongside legends he admired during his career, adding that it was a rewarding experience to reconnect with familiar faces, including some players who had retired recently.

“Feels great. I have played with most of them at some point on my career. These are legends whom we have seen growing up, so to play with them is a nice feeling. Even some of the players who announced their retirements slightly earlier, I would say, have joined the Legends League, so it’s always a warm feeling to reunite with them and playing,” Tiwary further added.

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