MS Dhoni a guiding force, says Manoj Tiwary

Mumbai: Manoj Tiwary, who scored a vital half century in Rising Pune Supergiant’s win over Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 1, explained how M.S. Dhoni-Steve Smith partnership is paying dividends.

When asked about how Smith captained the side and how Dhoni’s inputs helped the Australian, Tiwary said: “Mahi bhai, obviously, is supporting him really well. It is quite evident that Dhoni is manoeuvring the field and keeping them (fielder) in the right positions while Smith is concentrating on changing bowlers. He has too much on his plate and in that way, Mahi bhai is standing in the right position and guiding each and every player to stand in the right position.”

“It has been equally important as every individual in the team. Obviously, he has been nominated as the captain. He shares what he has to with every individual. He is doing a good job, but the kind of results that we are getting it cannot be only credited to one person. Each and every one has played their part, whether it is on the field or off the field, by giving suggestions to him because he is also someone who he is not from India. So, he also needs suggestions at times. Also, he does not completely know the domestic Indian players. So, in those situations it is important we share our ideas,” added the Bengal batsman, who has impressed one and all with his batting displays in IPL 2017.

Tiwary, who could not feature in the previous edition of the tournament due to injury, thanked the team management and RPS owner Sanjeev Goenka for the faith shown in him.

“Last year, I was not part of this team, I was injured. But this year from the start, I think, first of all, I am very thankful to the RPS team management and Mr. Goenka (Sanjeev) for giving me the opportunity to be part of a brilliant team where there likes of MS bhai, Steve Smith, then Ajju is there and so many talented players who have performed well in international cricket,” said Tiwary, who scored 48-ball 58 in the Qualifier 1 against Mumbai Indians.

“Coming here, I observed that the coach and the captain don’t speak too much. They make sure that they talk very less and only specific things we discussed in the meetings and we don’t have too many meetings which take too much time. It is clear message; short and sharp. I think the players have performed really well.

“Each and every player has peaked at the right time and performed whenever (he) got opportunities. It is a collective effort, to be honest. Because at the end of the day, the players have to perform on the field to get the result and no matter how much discussion you do, how much planning you do, it is upto us, each and every individual, if we go back and have a look, each and everyone has contributed whether it’s batting, bowling or fielding,” added the right-handed batsman.

MI were firmly in control of the game as RPS could only score 121 runs in the first 18 overs after being put in to bat. However, Tiwary and Dhoni turned the tables by hammering 41 runs in the last two overs.