Indian cricket is filled with stories of extraordinary talent and selfless acts, and one such tale involves the legendary Virender Sehwag and an emerging Manoj Tiwary. Known as ‘Chhota Dada,’ Tiwary showed immense promise early in his career, but his time with the Indian team was limited to just 12 ODIs and 3 T20Is over seven years. Despite his potential, inconsistent opportunities hindered his progress. One of the most defining moments of Tiwary’s career, however, came when Sehwag selflessly stepped aside to give him a chance—a gesture Tiwary will always cherish.
Sehwag’s Remarkable Sacrifice
The year was 2011, and India was playing a series against the West Indies. In the second ODI of the series, Sehwag smashed an incredible double century, scoring a career-best 219 in Indore. However, instead of playing the next match, he decided to rest and gave up his spot for Tiwary.
Recalling the moment, Tiwary said, “He [Sehwag] is my idol, and I will be indebted to him for the rest of my life. If he hadn’t dropped himself, my career would have been very different. Viru bhai saw that I wasn’t getting consistent opportunities and was being shuffled in the batting order. Sometimes I was asked to open, other times I had to bat at No. 5. He felt I wasn’t being treated fairly.”
Sehwag’s decision wasn’t just about resting; it was a deliberate move to give Tiwary a much-needed opportunity. Before the match, Sehwag even asked Tiwary where he preferred to bat. “On the team bus, he asked me where I wanted to bat. I said I just wanted to play for India. When he insisted, I told him No. 4, and he made it happen,” Tiwary recalled.
A Century Under Pressure
The stage was set for Tiwary in Chennai, but things didn’t begin well for India. The team lost two quick wickets, leaving Tiwary to walk in with the score at 1/2. Tiwary rose to the challenge, forming a vital 83-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir, who was leading the side in Sehwag’s absence. After Gambhir’s dismissal, Tiwary teamed up with Virat Kohli to add 117 runs for the fourth wicket.
While Kohli missed his century by 20 runs, Tiwary reached the milestone, scoring a brilliant 104. Unfortunately, he had to retire hurt due to cramps, but his knock had already made a significant impact.
Reflecting on the innings, Tiwary said, “When I went in to bat, I had a blank mind, which helped me focus. Scoring that century and receiving the Player of the Match award made me feel like I truly belonged at the international level. Viru bhai was very happy for me.”
The Legacy of a Selfless Act
Sehwag’s decision to step aside not only highlighted his selfless nature but also gave Tiwary a chance to prove his worth on the international stage. While Tiwary’s international career didn’t pan out as expected, that century remains a shining moment in his cricketing journey—a moment made possible by Sehwag’s generosity.
For Tiwary, the memory of that day and Sehwag’s gesture remain etched in his heart. “I owe everything to him. It’s because of Viru bhai that I got the opportunity to shine,” he concluded.
