Despite not getting to play in the first 4 ODIs, Kolkatans hope the batsman will be in the XI .
As the Indian playing XI for the fourth ODI against England was announced on Sunday, tears rolled down the cheeks of Bina Tiwary as she watched the television in her flat at Howrah. Her son Manoj had failed to get the nod despite India pocketing the series before the Mumbai ODI.
“His luck is not favouring him,” pointed out Bina. “We were all hoping that he would at least get a chance in Mumbai as India has already won the series,” she added and her eyes lit up as Manoj took the field as a substitute fielder.
As his mother said, 25-year old Manoj hasn’t been the luckiest of cricketers around. In 2007, just on the eve of what could have been his international debut in Bangladesh, Manoj injured his shoulder during fielding practice.
However, he didn’t lose heart and worked hard on his recovery and finally managed to make his international debut in 2008, when he was rushed to Brisbane as a replacement for Rohit Sharma. A jetlagged Manoj failed to make an impression as he was bowled by Brett Lee for just two runs.
He had to wait for more than three years before he got another opportunity in West Indies, but this time too he wasn’t able to give his best as in his return match, he was asked to open the innings and scored just two runs. In the next match, he batted at No 4 and scored run-a-ball 22. He played his last ODI at Rose Bowl against
England earlier this year, scoring just 11 runs.
With some senior players rested for the home series against England, Manoj was retained in the ODI side, but failed to make it to the playing XI in the first four ODI’s
“I am just praying to God that he gets to play in Kolkata as he has grown up playing at the Eden Gardens,” said Bina.
Even Manoj’s younger brother Mahesh, who has represented Bengal in the under-19 tournaments, is hopeful that his brother will get a chance at Eden. “Bhaiyya always wanted to play for India at Edens. Now that India is leading 4-0, I am sure Dhoni will be aware how Kolkata would want to see a Bengal player play at the Eden Gardens,” said Mahesh.
Meanwhile, Manoj’s coach Manabendra Ghosh feels that if Manoj gets an opportunity in Eden, it could well mark a new beginning for the Bengal batsman. “What makes Manoj special is his strong will power. After seeing so many downs in his career, he has successfully remained focussed,” said Ghosh. “I feel he hasn’t got as many chances as he deserved. And on Tuesday, if he does get that opportunity, I am sure he will make full use of it as this is a pitch Manoj knows very well,” added Ghosh.
So, on Tuesday, it will not just be Bina, Mahesh or Manabendra, who will be hoping to see Manoj in the playing XI, but so will the the 65,000 strong crowd at Eden Gardens, who will be eager to see a Bengal boy play in the match.
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