Manoj Tiwary Fined for Ranji Trophy Criticism; Calls for Greater Emphasis on Domestic Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary, known for his illustrious career with Bengal and limited appearances for the national team, recently announced his retirement amidst a glowing tribute from his team and well-wishers.

Tiwary raised eyebrows during his retirement interview by expressing a desire to question former Indian captain MS Dhoni about his abrupt exclusion from the national squad, despite delivering a match-winning century against West Indies in Chennai.

Post-retirement, Tiwary faced a 20% fine on his Ranji Trophy match fees for voicing his frustration about the declining significance of the prestigious tournament, calling for its potential removal from the cricket calendar to address underlying issues.

In a heartfelt felicitation at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, Tiwary emphasized the necessity for players, especially high-profile ones, to prioritize domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy to earn recognition for international selection.

He highlighted a recent directive from the BCCI that urges centrally contracted players to actively participate in domestic fixtures, likely influenced by Tiwary’s outspoken remarks on social media that brought attention to the matter.

Expressing concern over the evolving mindset among young talents favoring IPL success over traditional Ranji performances, Tiwary urged the cricket board to restore focus on the significance of red-ball cricket and nurture a balanced approach towards different formats.