Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, has opened up about the emotional struggles he faced early in his international career, particularly regarding the impact of MS Dhoni and the selectors on his confidence. In a recent interview, Tiwary recounted how his debut against Australia in 2008 left a lasting impression on him. Playing under the captaincy of Dhoni, he was dismissed for just two runs after facing 16 balls, bowled out by the legendary Brett Lee. This initial setback marked the beginning of a long and challenging journey in international cricket.
Tiwary had to endure a wait of over three years for his next opportunity, during which he battled through frustration and self-doubt. When he finally got another chance in June 2011, he managed to score just two runs against the West Indies. Unfortunately, his struggles continued as he failed to perform in the following three ODI innings. It wasn’t until December 2011, in his sixth ODI match, that Tiwary celebrated a breakthrough moment, scoring an unbeaten century against the same West Indies team.
However, despite his standout performance, the selectors’ faith in him wavered again. After an impressive outing, he waited seven months for his next match, which came during a series against Sri Lanka. In this series, he scored a half-century but was once again dropped shortly thereafter, experiencing a frustrating cycle of performance followed by exclusion. His next opportunity came in June 2014 against Bangladesh, and he played his last three ODIs in Zimbabwe in July 2015.
Reflecting on these experiences, Tiwary expressed that the emotional toll was significant. "See, it happened a long time ago. It's a matter of the past, but yes, dukh toh hota hi hai (It was sad)," he said, acknowledging the disappointment he felt when his confidence was shaken at a crucial time in his career. He emphasized that such experiences can lead to a detrimental change in a player's mindset, making it challenging to perform at their peak.
In earlier discussions, Tiwary mentioned his desire to confront Dhoni about his dropping from the team despite his strong performance. "I would like to ask MS Dhoni about the reason why he dropped me after the hundred against West Indies in Chennai," he had stated, highlighting his ongoing curiosity regarding the decision-making processes of the selectors.
Despite the ups and downs in his international career, Tiwary continued to excel in domestic cricket. He retired in February 2024, concluding a successful professional journey that included impressive statistics: he amassed 10,195 runs in 148 first-class matches, 5,581 runs in 169 List A games, and played 98 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 1,695 runs. Tiwary's story serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes often face behind the scenes, and his insights provide a glimpse into the emotional landscape of a cricketer navigating the complexities of professional sport.
