At The Age of 34, Manoj Tiwary Wants To Play For Another Ten Years

Over the years, the Indian cricket team has witnessed several worthy players come and go. Most of these men shone in the Indian domestic circuit; however, weren’t given a lengthy run in the international arena to prove themselves. One of the prominent names in that list would undoubtedly be Manoj Tiwary, who has been amassing runs at an alarming rate in domestic cricket. However, the veteran isn’t giving up on the sport anytime soon and hopes to play for another ten years.

Also Read: Chennai Super Kings To Bid For Jason Roy, Sheldon Cottrell? Harbhajan Singh Says He Would Pick Both The Players

The Bengal batsman has had a stop-start career for the Indian team. He made his debut against Australia in the commonwealth bank series in 2008. He scored only a couple before being cleaned up by Brett Lee. However, Manoj Tiwary had to wait for another three years before his second stint with the men in blue. His highlight reel was playing a knock of 104 against the Windies while batting at number four in Chennai. The 34-year old featured in his last ODI in 2015 against Zimbabwe and hasn’t donned the Indian colours since then.

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Tiwary clarified that he is here to stay, despite his age being 34 at present and understands it is an uphill task. He mentioned some prominent sportsmen like Zaheer Khan, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Wasim Jaffer and conceded that if they can continue playing despite age not being on their side, so can he.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m 34 and I plan to play another ten years. I know it’s not going to be easy. If Wasim [Jaffer] bhai can play for so many years if Zaheer Khan can roll his arm at 42 and still get wickets at T10, why can’t I? Michael Jordan, LeBron James, so many other athletes. Nobody will question LeBron James – he’s 34 I guess.”

Manoj Tiwary wants to score 1000 runs in Ranji Trophy this season:

The right-handed batsman further said that he aims to pass the 1000-run mark in this Ranji Trophy. The veteran added that whatever is required to get done physically or any other planning, he is setting the blueprint for that in his own way. He believes that playing the shorter formats before the longer format is extremely challenging; however, he is working on improving his technique.

“Three years [at a time], or two. I’m not going to go (out) so easily. I want to score more than 1000 runs this season. That’s my aim. I’m working towards it. Whatever is required to be done, whether it’s physical or planning my innings in a better way.”

“I’ve chalked out a few areas where I need to work as far as my technique is concerned. Getting my technique a bit tighter for the Ranji games. Which is always the challenging part when you play shorter formats before the Ranji season, you want to play Ranji in the same flow.” he added further.

Manoj Tiwary last played in the Indian Premier League for the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017; however, went unsold in the previous action. However, those disappointments hasn’t stopped him from putting in the hard yards in the domestic circuit for the Bengal team.

Also Read: Prithvi Shaw Hits 84-Ball Ton For Mumbai In Ranji Trophy