Manoj Tiwary lights up his birthday with a spectacular catch against Mumbai

Manoj Tiwary is safe as houses when it comes to fielding. The veteran has gotten bucket-like hands and very rarely does he let opportunities go. Over the course of his career, which has spanned nearly 15 years, he has taken 301 catches. The Howrah-born is athletic and doesn’t mind throwing his body in the outfield to go with fast reflexes. The Bengal cricketer hardly allows any blemishes.

Some of his stupendous fielding skills was on show during the 2019-20 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. On Thursday, November 14, Bengal played versus Mumbai at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Tiwary pulled off an absolute screamer to send back opposition opener Jay Gokul Bista. The batsman was looking ominous, having scored 48 with five fours and a six.

Manoj Tiwary takes a blinder

Chasing 154, Mumbai were motoring along at 102 in 13 overs. On an excellent batting strip, the hosts needed a mere 52 runs in 42 balls with as many as nine wickets in hand. The 14th over was bowled by left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed and the tweaker churned out a short and wide delivery. Bista’s eyes lit up on seeing the loose ball and he tried to pounce on it with all his might.

Had he left the ball, it would’ve been a wide. But Bista went for the shot and to his misfortune, couldn’t get proper timing. The leather hit the toe end of the willow and raced away to the cover region where Tiwary was standing. Despite no proper timing, the ball sped away, but Tiwary was aware. He judged the trajectory of the ball to perfection and dived full length on to his left.

The ball was about to pass him and Tiwary caught hold of it in the nick of time. The wicket brought about a mini collapse as Bengal reduced home team Mumbai to 105 for five in the 15th over. It was also Manoj Tiwary’s 34th birthday and his well-judged catch had turned the game on its head.

Unfortunately, Bengal lost off the last ball. Shubham Ranjane scored 30 off 17 with five fours and saw Mumbai through. Four runs were needed off the final delivery and Ranjane found the boundary to save the day for Mumbai, captained by Suryakumar Yadav.

Here is the video of Tiwary’s catch