Batting for Bengal: Ranji workforce star by day, minister and TMC MLA at evening

FROM RESCUING the Bengal Ranji workforce by hitting a century through the day, to wading by way of recordsdata of official paperwork, as West Bengal’s Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Trinamool Congress MLA from Shibpur, within the night — it’s all in a day’s work for Manoj Tiwary.

Multi-tasking to strike a stability between his two roles, as a sitting minister and cricketer, is an enormous ask. When his team-mates hit the ice baths and put their ft as much as re-energise within the evenings, Tiwary (36) says he dives proper into official work.

“There is a lot of constituency work — someone may need a letter for an Aadhaar card, some small issues here and there. At the same time, we need to ensure that our government schemes reach the people,” says Tiwary, including, “I have got used to it now”.

“There are many files and documents which need to be signed. So my day is long. As I am playing and cannot go to my constituency office, I have asked them to courier the files here. I sign the files and send them back, so that my work doesn’t get hampered. I then call my office and check the status of pending work. I have people who give me daily feedback on things which need to be done,” he says.

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His first constituency, cricket, too positioned a heavy demand on him within the Ranji Trophy semi-final in opposition to Madhya Pradesh at Bengaluru on Thursday. MP had been bundled out for 341 runs on the second day and Bengal reached 273 runs, primarily on account of Tiwary’s 103.

When his team-mates hit the ice baths and put their ft as much as re-energise within the evenings, Tiwary (36) says he dives proper into official work. (Express Photo)

Bengal had been wobbling at 11 for 3 in underneath 4 overs when Tiwary walked in. Soon, they had been 54 for five however Tiwary, within the firm of centurion Shahbaz Ahmed, lifted Bengal in direction of respectability. “I have been in such situations before. It’s just about keeping your head down and playing session by session. I told Shahbaz that we need to try and stay there as much as possible, runs will come later,” says Tiwary.

An aggressive right-handed batsman who represented India in 12 one-day internationals and three T20s, Tiwary is absolutely conscious that his Team India dream is over, and his non-selection within the final IPL public sale has additionally introduced down the curtains on his participation in that match.

The query, then, is why does he nonetheless play skilled cricket?

“It’s my dream that Bengal wins the Ranji Trophy one day. I wanted it to happen when I was captain, but sadly that wasn’t so. Now, there is a desire to be part of the winning Ranji Trophy team at least once in my lifetime. It’s the only reason which has kept me motivated,” he says.

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After he hit a century on Thursday, Tiwary took out a notice from his pocket and flashed it in direction of the Bengal dressing room. He had scribbled a “thank you” notice to his household for supporting him.

“It’s not been easy. Earlier, I used to just play cricket and was on the road. Now, I don’t get any time at all. There are days when I reach home at 1 in the night and leave early next morning for the party’s programme. My wife has been a pillar of support behind me,” he says.

Just after he joined the Trinamool Congress forward of the Assembly elections final 12 months, Tiwary had instructed The Indian Express that it was a cellphone name from get together chief Mamata Banerjee that made him be part of the ballot fray. “Manoj Tiwary will continue to call a spade a spade. When everybody is deserting Didi — those who were in the party for so long are now running away — I didn’t want to take it lying down. This is in my blood. I will stand by a person who gives her everything for Bengal. I always wanted to work for people and contribute to society in this difficult situation,” he had mentioned.