Tiwary: I have been unlucky
espnstar.com’s Rajarshi Gupta spoke to India discard and Delhi Daredevils batsman Manoj Tiwary.
The calmness and poise are all on the surface. Deep within, Tiwary is fighting the demons of his past.
Once hailed as one of India's most promising young talents, the Bengal middle-order bat has lost his way somewhere in the horizon.
Not one to make excuses, Tiwary blamed it on his inability to stay fit at crucial junctures.
"I got injured when I was in Bangladesh (with the Indian team) and that was a major blow.
There were people who expected me to do well on that tour after my success in the domestic season but I think I have been unlucky with injuries."
The right-handed batsman has been the focal point of discussion at selection meetings, yes, but somehow has not been able to make the cut. What's missing.
Nothing, if you ask the man himself.
"I am going to give it my all to come back into the Indian team. It's a tough middle order to get into right now with so many good batsmen in the fray but if I score consistently, the call will come."
He hit the nail on the head. With Sachin Tendulkar looking as good as he has ever done and the emergence of Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yousuf Pathan, Tiwary does have his task cut out.
However, what might help the Daredevil is that he knows how difficult it is for him.
"Getting into the Indian team has never been easy. I was unfortunate to miss out on some of my opportunities but it is important to work hard and create more chances."
The wait might just get a little longer with the Delhi Daredevils out of contention in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20.
There is a lot to look forward though. India's famed and often feared middle order has been exposed of late, be it in England, the West Indies or South Africa.
Tiwary will realise that there will never be a better moment to stake claim for a spot in the hallowed dressing room of Team India.
The time is now and it is ripe.
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