On Thursday, August 3, cricket fans bid farewell to the talented Indian batter, Manoj Tiwary, as he announced his retirement from professional cricket.
While his international career was brief, with only 15 ODIs and three T20Is, he left an indelible mark on the Indian Premier League (IPL) stage, featuring in an impressive 98 matches.
Tiwary’s IPL journey began in 2008 when he was signed by the Delhi Daredevils, now known as Delhi Capitals. However, in 2010, he switched gears and moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the transfer window.
His time with KKR lasted until the 2013 season, and in 2014, he returned to Delhi. Unfortunately, after the 2015 season, he was released by the Delhi franchise.
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Despite facing ups and downs, Tiwary continued to showcase his prowess in the IPL, representing different teams over the years. In the 2017 and 2018 seasons, he played for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant and the Punjab Kings, respectively. Throughout his IPL career, Tiwary amassed an impressive total of 1,695 runs, including seven half-centuries.
Among his memorable moments in the IPL, three stand out distinctly:
1* Tiwary’s Heroics in IPL 2012 Final
The IPL 2012 final was a nail-biting encounter, with Kolkata Knight Riders facing the two-time defending champions Chennai Super Kings. CSK had set a challenging target of 190 runs.
However, Tiwary, along with Manvinder Bisla and Jacques Kallis, kept KKR’s hopes alive. In the final over, with nine runs required, Tiwary smashed two crucial boundaries, securing a remarkable victory for KKR with two balls to spare.
2** Tiwary’s Unique Bowling Style
During the IPL 2018 season, Tiwary made headlines with his unique bowling action. Playing for the Punjab Kings, he bowled one over of spin against the SunRisers Hyderabad, captivating fans with his unconventional style, reminiscent of Kedar Jadhav’s action. Though it was his only over of bowling that season, it left a lasting impression on fans worldwide.
3*** Tiwary’s Maiden IPL 50
Among his numerous half-centuries in the IPL, Tiwary’s first one remains etched in memory. In the 2010 season, while representing KKR against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens, he opened the batting alongside Brad Hodge.
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Faced with a challenging pitch, Tiwary launched a relentless assault on the RCB bowlers, reaching his 50 in just 29 balls. His brilliant performance earned him the Player of the Match award, leading KKR to a seven-wicket victory.