Wild card entries for ICC Champions Trophy

Manoj Tiwary

The star batsman from Bengal has to be the most unlucky cricketers to have played for India. Since making his first-class debut for Bengal in 2004, Tiwary has amassed more than 7,000 runs at an average of 52. Yet how he has managed to play only 12 ODIs is still a mystery to many.

He scored his only ODI hundred in December 2011, an unbeaten 104 against West indies, he strangely played his next game after almost 8 months. He picked a four-wicket haul with his leg-spin and followed that game with a composed 65, which was crucial to India’s 20-run win against Sri Lanka. After three back-to-back outstanding performances, Tiwary did not feature for India in the next two years. His non-inclusion was baffling. There wasn’t much he could have done with the limited opportunities he had got.

Tiwary put the disappointments away and did what he does best: turn up for Bengal and make tons of runs. The 31-year old had a great Vijay Hazare Trophy where he made 378 runs at 54 runs an innings. He has carried that form into the IPL. His franchise, Rising Pune Supergiant, is not doing justice with his talents as Tiwary has batted too low in the order to make an impact. He has hit the ball well and made crucial runs in whatever chances he has been presented with. Tiwary might get a wild card entry for the big tournament for his recent performances.