Manoj Tiwary’s constant battle with untimely injuries has made him only tougher. Every time he has felt that he is closer to being a part of the India team, he has been dealt a blow in the form of an injury. An ill-timed injury in Bangladesh in 2007, when he crashed into a billboard while fielding, shattered Tiwary’s dreams of making his debut. Though he didn’t take long to don the blue jersey, his career mostly has been stop-start.
He is on yet another comeback trail and this time too he is beginning to make his presence felt. On Sunday, Tiwary threw his hat in the selection ring again with a classy 129 for India ‘A’ against Australia in the practice game at the Guru Nanak College ground.

Safely to ton
Resuming on his overnight 77 Tiwary reached his 18th first-class hundred on the second day. After a delayed start owing to morning’s persistent drizzle, the Aussies summoned the new ball straightaway and peppered Tiwary with the short stuff. But the 27-year-old was undeterred.

Confidence while attacking and cautious in defence, Tiwary knew the importance of making a big one against an international attack. “It has come against a touring side. Obviously compared to the quality of bowling we face in domestic cricket, it’s much better and if you score runs against them, it gives you great satisfaction. After all the hard work we do, it feels good when the results come,” he said.

By now Tiwary has got used to process of making numerous comebacks, the recent being from a side strain that curtailed his domestic season. “It does get frustrating. But you have to move on. The timing of the injury wasn’t right for me, because I knew that in the coming ODIs (vs Pakistan) I would have played. Knowing that, and getting injured, makes you feel bad. But I have moved on.”

The Bengal batsman said he dreams of playing in Tests for India, though many have questioned his technique and labelled him a one-day specialist. “My job is to score runs. At times it is difficult, but having said that, these are the challenges I love to face.”