Manoj Tiwary Questions MS Dhoni After Retirement From Cricket

Kolkata, 6th April 2025: Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer and Bengal’s cricketing stalwart, recently sparked a debate about his career and selection controversies. During a felicitation ceremony at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, Tiwary expressed his disappointment over being dropped from the Indian team despite scoring a century in 2011 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Tiwary, aged 38, who also serves as Bengal’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, highlighted the inconsistency in selection processes.

Tiwary’s international career included 12 ODIs and 3 T20Is, where he scored 287 runs with an unbeaten 104 against West Indies in Chennai being his highlight. Despite amassing over 10,000 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 47.86, he never got to play Test cricket for India. This has led him to question the selection criteria and the role of influential figures like Dhoni in shaping his career.

According to Tiwary, “I would like to ask Dhoni why I was dropped from the playing XI after scoring a century. I had the potential to be a hero like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli but could not be. Today, when I see others getting more opportunities on TV, I feel sad.” This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the fairness and transparency in Indian cricket’s selection processes.

Tiwary also raised concerns about the IPL-centric approach among young players and advocated for prioritizing the Ranji Trophy to nurture talent effectively. “The essence of IPL seems to have been lost. Players focus on strike rates for contracts rather than saving matches,” he remarked. This shift in focus, he believes, undermines the development of well-rounded cricketers who can excel in all formats.

Tiwary’s statements highlight the challenges faced by many cricketers who feel overlooked despite their performances. His career serves as a case study for the complexities of Indian cricket, where talent often competes with other factors like team dynamics and personal connections. As the sport continues to evolve, voices like Tiwary’s emphasize the need for a more inclusive and merit-based selection system.