Manoj Tiwary rues not sealing the match for RPS against Delhi Daredevils

Manoj Tiwary, who top-scored for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) with a 45-ball 60 against Delhi Daredevils (DD) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, also revealed that MS Dhoni was unaware of where the ball had gone which resulted in his run-out.

Manoj Tiwary has taken full responsibility for not taking Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) over the line against Delhi Daredevils (DD) in a tense Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Friday. Tiwary slammed his first fifty in IPL 2017 but his 45-ball 60 could not prevent Rising Pune Supergiant’s seven-run loss. (Highlights)

With boundaries drying up for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) following the departure of MS Dhoni (not in picture), Manoj Tiwary who ended up as top-scorer, went for premeditated swings, eventually getting clean bowled by Delhi Daredevils’ Pat Cummins during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Friday. (AFP)

Speaking in the post match press conference, Tiwary said, “I take complete blame for not taking the team over the line. I was the man on strike and I could not find the boundaries towards the death overs.” (Scorecard)

With 44 needed off 27 balls, Rising Pune Supergiant were on course for a win and seal their spot in the play-offs. However, Mohammed Shami’s dismissal of Ben Stokes (33) and MS Dhoni’s run-out, also thanks to Shami, tilted the game towards Delhi Daredevils.

Tiwary said that it was rare to see Dhoni get run-out but gave a reason for it.

“Dhoni mentioned that he could not see where the ball went. That was the reason why he could not make it. He did not know that the ball had gone behind. Credit to Shami for taking that chance and throwing down the stumps at the bowler’s end. If the ball did not hit, we would have gotten an extra run,” the right-handed batsman said.

With this loss, Rising Pune Supergiant’s last game against Kings XI Punjab, who are on 14 points, is a virtual shoot-out.

When seniors play like youngsters

The Indian squad picked for the Champions Trophy has drawn mixed reactions, with some sections stating that the selectors did not give youngsters like Rishabh Pant who were doing well in IPL 2017 a chance.

However, Tiwary stated that Dhoni is still very active. The former India batsman added that it is good to think about the future, but one must have an eye on the present.

“Youngsters should be given a chance. When you see Dhoni on the field, you feel that he is a youngster. I do not understand the difference between a senior and youngster. Dhoni is physically fit, is the quickest and the most active on the field. The catch and stumping today would not have been easy for any other keeper,” Tiwary said.