Bengal Minister Contributes In World Record In Ranji Trophy; Know Tiwary’s Odisha Connection

Bengaluru: Bengal created history in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Jharkhand on Wednesday.

They became the first team in the history of first-class cricket for whom nine batters registered 50-plus scores in an innings.

Significantly, Trinamool Congress politician and Bengal minister Manoj Tiwary played a part in the world record, scoring 73 in Bengal’s mammoth first-innings total of 773 for 7.

After Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran lost the toss and was asked to bat first in the five-day knockout match, openers Abhishek Raman (61) and Easwaran (65) put on 132 runs, before Sudip Gharami (186) and Majumdar (117) slammed centuries.

Veteran batter and former captain Tiwary, batting at No. 5, scored a patient 73 off 173 balls before Abhishek Porel (68), Shahbaz Ahmed (78), Sayan Mondal (53 not out) and Akash Deep (53 not out) also slammed half-centuries.

Trinamool Congress’ Tiwary, who got elected from Shibpur constituency in last year’s West Bengal assembly elections, was appointed Minister of state for Sports & Youth Affairs.

In February this year, he became the first cabinet minister to play first-class cricket when he represented Bengal in a Ranji Trophy group league match.

And it was the Barabati Stadium in Odisha’s Cuttack that witnessed history as it hosted the Bengal versus Baroda Elite Group B fixture from February 17-20, 2022.

Tiwary went on to play all three matches at Barabati as Bengal beat Baroda, Hyderabad and Chandigarh to qualify for the Ranji quarterfinals.

The 36-year-old Tiwary, who has played 12 ODIs and 2 T20 Internationals for India, had made it clear while joining TMC that he would continue playing cricket as long as he had the hunger.

“I told this to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and she not only permitted me but also encouraged me to continue playing the sport I love most,” Tiwary told The Telegraph.

Having featured in three losing Ranji Trophy finals, Tiwary hopes to help Bengal lift the coveted domestic title before he quits cricket.