By IANS
Kolkata : Newly appointed Bengal cricket captain Manoj Tiwari Wednesday got a call for the India ‘A’ side.
Tiwari will make a comeback to the India ‘A’ side for the home series against South Africa after a long injury layoff.
He was part of India’s one-day side during the Bangladesh tour but a freak shoulder injury forced him to rest. Now with India physio John Gloster giving him a clean chit, the 22-year-old is back in the reckoning and will take guard against the Proteas.
“It feels good to be back in the reckoning. With so many talented young batsmen playing now, a loss of few months sets you back by a long way. Cheteswar Pujara and Rohit Sharma are playing really well. I need to do well in this series,” Tiwari said.
“I will like to play at my favourite position but ultimately it all depends on the team management.”
Ready to roll his arms, Tiwari said: “The spinners will play a very important role in Indian conditions. They are not comfortable playing the spin, that should work in our advantage. I consider myself as an all-rounder and I think my off-spin will also come in handy.”
However, as Tiwari’s recall was being celebrated, Bengal cricket plunged into a new crisis with his deputy Ranadeb Bose refusing the captaincy.
According to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Samar Pal, Bose had requested the CAB to release him from the burden of captaincy because he wanted to concentrate on the game.
“Rano had called me and said that he wanted to concentrate on his own game. He has a chance of making it to the Indian side for the Australia and Pakistan series. He is not ready to add the burden of captaincy now,” Pal said.
Bose said, “We have to keep in mind that I was not the first choice. I think if that’s the case and I am only a stopgap arrangement then I think someone else should take up the responsibility.
“It should be given to someone with a potential. And cricket is always there, I will like to concentrate on my game and try my best to find a berth in the Indian side. It is time to groom a youngster who can take it on a long-time basis.”
With Tiwari unavailable and Bose refusing, Pal was in a spot. He refused to name a new captain and said, “The coach, manager and one of the selectors will be in Hyderabad. It’s up to them to choose a captain. It’s a selectors’ job, we the administrators cannot comment on it.”