Being on the fringes of Indian cricket team for years can be a tad frustrating, but Manoj Tiwary has learnt to live with it and is now preparing for the upcoming challenge in Zimbabwe with some “great advice” from VVS Laxman.
“I spent a considerable amount of time with Laxman recently during CAB’s Vision 2020 camp. While his technical inputs were priceless, his advice to stay in present and just focus on very next assignment, stood out for me,” Tiwary, who returned after a vacation in Europe, said.
“He (Laxman) has followed my career closely. He told me it’s not easy to make comeback after so many injuries. It’s already a hard work, so it’s all the more necessary to shut out negative thoughts and concentrate on being a better cricketer. I found his words very encouraging,” said the Bengal batsman, who has 253 runs from 9 ODIs on his career record.
For the 29-year-old, the most important aspect will be to get his share of chances in the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, where India play three ODIs and two T20 Internationals.
He further added, “I am going with a blank mind. Because, too much of planning can clutter your mind. I don’t know at what position I will be batting. It will be a different plan if I am out there in the 10th over and a different plan batting in the 45th over.”
“All I want is to get opportunities to perform and represent India for long time. The selectors have given me an opportunity and I better not disappoint them,” said Tiwary.
“Over the years, I have had a lot of injuries at the wrong time which has robbed me around 6-7 months every time. This has been a kind of impediment for me in getting a permanent slot in the team,” reasoned Tiwary, who has more than 5700 first-class runs from 78 matches.
