Twitter Reactions: In-form Manoj Tiwary bats lower down the order

After a disastrous season in 2016, Rising Pune Supergiant registered their 2nd victory in their 2nd season with a 27-run win against RCB. They find themselves at the 6th spot on the points table with just two wins in five games. Their batting hasn’t fired this season, apart from the first game where Smith helped them win a cliff-hanger against Mumbai Indians on April 6.

While their batting has largely struggled, especially in the middle overs, Manoj Tiwary has had success. Batting in the lower middle order, Tiwary has been in unfamiliar territory as he is a top order batsman. The highest he has batted in this tournament is at No. 5. Tiwary had his first hit in the tournament in RPS’ second game where he batted at No. 6. He made an impact immediately with an unbeaten 23-ball 40 which gave the bowlers something to bowl at.

Sent in at 5 the next innings, he again did a decent job scoring 31 before falling in the quest for quick runs towards the end of the innings. The Bengal batsman’s fans were expecting a promotion in the batting line-up, much to their disappointment as Tiwary batted as low as No. 7 in today’s game against RCB.

He took it in his stride and produced a brilliant cameo of 27 runs which came off just 11 balls taking the RPS score to 161. His innings was worth its weight in gold especially after RPS lost 5 wickets in 9 balls and were tottering at 132/7 in the 18 overs. Tiwary then took centre-stage as he helped the team in getting 29 runs in 2 overs, 19 of which came against Watson in the 19th over. The stylish right-hander hit three fours in the over and finished it off with a straight six which hit the sightscreen. He hit another six in the final over – a wristy flick using Milne’s pace to send the ball over mid-wicket – to take 10 runs off the final over.

Seeing these performances, Tiwary must be promoted up the order to bat at No. 4. He is too good a player to be wasted so low down the order and can help revive the campaign for his team as he is in top form. He boasts a strike rate of 160 and an average of 49 so far this season, which is much better than his peers.

I hope Stephen Fleming/Steven Smith are asked why on earth Manoj Tiwary doesn't have the No.4 spot by right. Shows every game he deserves it

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) April 16, 2017

Manoj Tiwary giving RPS something to fight for. #RCBvRPS

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) April 16, 2017

Everyone's talking about #RPS bowling performance, but that 11-ball 27 from Manoj Tiwary was the real difference for me. #IPL #RCBvRPS

— Sidhant Maheshwari (@msidhant) April 16, 2017

My man-of-the-match would have been Manoj Tiwary. I thought his innings made the difference to the match.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 16, 2017

Manoj Tiwary is my pick for the MOM award. His innings was the difference between the two teams in the end, quite literally.#RCBvRPS #IPL

— Chinmay Jawalekar? (@CricfreakTweets) April 16, 2017

I always believe that in good batting conditions, a good bowling performance must get MoM and voce versa. Today, Manoj Tiwary was MoM.

— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) April 16, 2017

You might disagree vehemently…but my Man of the Match for today is Manoj Tiwary. #IPL #RCBvRPS

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 16, 2017

Pune's bowlers were fantastic, but don't forget Manoj Tiwary's knock which gave his team hopes of a win

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2017

Manoj Tiwary at the end of the RPS innings – 27(11)
RPS win by 27 runs #IPL #RCBvRPS

— Anand Subramaniam (@28anand) April 16, 2017

@bhogleharsha Harsha i do not understand when Manoj Tiwary is in form then why he should not be promoted to up in batting order?

— Aryan Mukherjee (@aryanpolo) April 16, 2017

Well Played @tiwarymanoj. Flamboyant innings. One of the few consistent performers in the @RPSupergiants side this season #RCBvRPS

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 16, 2017

So impressed by the attitude and ability of #ManojTiwary in the last overs. This guy needs to bat up the order for Pune #RCBvRPS #IPL2017

— Richard Anderson (@RichardInd1978) April 16, 2017

Good cameo from #manojtiwary . He needs to be promoted to no.4. He is in good touch. #RCBvRPS

— Uday Kiran (@UdayKuk) April 16, 2017

Manoj Tiwary has really been good for #RPS this #IPL ! Lots of calls for MS at 4! Couldnt prove it!
Tiwary deserves more chanes @ 4 #RCBvRPS

— Hariharan Durairaj (@hari_durairaj) April 16, 2017

What a gem of innings from Manoj Tiwary smashed 27 runs in 11 balls and sacrificed his wicket for the team…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 16, 2017

In context of the collapse we saw, this is a sterling knock by Manoj Tiwary. Might just raise the spirit of Pune's bowlers…

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 16, 2017