Published: Apr 17, 2017, 11:08 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 18, 2017, 01:29 PM (IST)
Although Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni and Steven Smith, took charge against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowlers, Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)’s lower-order showed rather a mixed display of batting in Match 17 of IPL 2017. However, RPS were served with a late blitz from Manoj Tiwary, who scored an 11-ball 27 that comprised of 3 fours and 2 sixes, setting a target of 162 for RCB. Shane Watson became the target as he leaked 22 runs off the 19th over that comprised of 3 fours and a six, all from Tiwary’s willow. RPS defended their total well with young guns like Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat sharing 5 wickets while Man-of-the-Match Ben Stokes, ended with the figures of 3 for 18 to earn their maiden victory over RCB. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rising Pune Supergiant – Match 17
Speaking to the reporters during the post-match press conference, Tiwary explained his tactics against Watson, “I was just trying to read the mind of the bowler, what he was trying to do. I was observing from the dugout on how he bowled to Dhoni. He set a field and bowled differently, which was in a way bluffing around. That is how he got the wicket of MS. So I observed the field-setting and knew he would bowl similarly against me as well. When one of Watson’s bouncers went for wide ball, I knew he is not going to bowl another one. So reading the bowlers mind was important for me. He bowled in my areas. He missed his execution and I was up for it. But I am happy to have contributed in that last phase.”
Tiwary did find it difficult to bat on a tricky Bengaluru pitch. He said, “Wicket was difficult to bat on. If the wicket has slight moisture, it gets difficult for the batsmen further. When Shardul Thakur bowled the seam upright he got the swing and Virat also nicked that. There was something for the bowlers.”
Tiwary has had a decent IPL 10 so far and is content with his batting, “When I analyse my career so far, every season is very important for me. Somehow there are lot of expectations out of me. People want me to do well. There is a pressure to perform. Every season the teams want to me to score 1,000 runs. But people should understand that we play in a venue where wickets are very challenging. You cannot judge a player if he scores 700-800 runs. We have to focus as an individual on our games and prepare accordingly. About my game in particular, I do feel happy that I contribute for my team in some way.”
