Manoj Tiwary Expresses Discontent Over MS Dhoni's Support During His Career
Tiwary's Disappointment with Dhoni's Support
Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding what he sees as a lack of backing from the iconic captain MS Dhoni throughout his international career. Tiwary made his debut for India under Dhoni's captaincy during the 2008 Australian tour, but he only played 12 ODIs and three T20Is. While injuries did affect his participation, Tiwary believes that more substantial support from Dhoni could have significantly impacted his chances of remaining in the national squad.
Impressive Performances Yet Limited Opportunities
Despite delivering notable performances, such as scoring a century against the West Indies and taking four wickets in a Player of the Match display against Sri Lanka, Tiwary found himself frequently excluded from the playing XI without clear justification. Even after a commendable half-century, he remained sidelined.
Seeking Answers from Dhoni
"I can't answer this myself. I believe MS Dhoni, Duncan Fletcher, and the selectors should clarify this, as I have yet to receive any explanation," Tiwary shared with a sports platform. He added, "I’m not the type to reach out to the coach or selectors for answers, but I intend to ask Dhoni directly about why I was overlooked after scoring a century. I still have no idea what went wrong or what their thought process was at that time."
Last Appearance and Ongoing Frustration
Tiwary's last appearance for India was in 2015 during a tour of Zimbabwe, where he played under Ajinkya Rahane's leadership due to the absence of senior players, including Dhoni. He has since expressed frustration over being denied opportunities, especially when other players were consistently given chances.
Contrasting Views on Dhoni's Support
While many Indian players and Chennai Super Kings teammates credit Dhoni for nurturing young talent and showing unwavering faith in them, Tiwary feels he was not among those who received such support. He has stated that he plans to confront Dhoni about why he was never given a consistent place in the team.
Reflections on Performance and Team Selection
"I don’t believe that reputation and perception should dictate selection. My experience, along with that of a few others, tells a different story about how he supported his players. If he truly backed his players, he would have supported me given my performances," Tiwary remarked. He recounted his return to the playing XI, where he took four wickets against Sri Lanka and scored 21 runs, followed by a 65-run performance in the next match. "I don’t understand why I didn’t receive the backing I expected, as I always believed that performance should be the key factor for selection, but that wasn’t the case for me."