Cricketer turned sports minister Manoj Tiwary announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Kolkata: Cricketer turned politician Manoj Tiwary, who played for India in ODIs and T20, on Thursday announced retirement from all forms of cricket.

“Goodbye to the game of cricket. This game has given me everything, I mean every single thing which I had never dreamt of, starting from the times when my life was challenged by different forms of difficulties. I will always be grateful to this game and to the GOD, who has always been by my side throughout,” 37-year-old Tiwary, who is now West Bengal's junior sports minister, announced in an Instagram post.

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Right handed batsman and occasional leg-break bowler Manoj Tiwari represented India in 12 ODIs and 3 T20Is.

Led many times his home state Bengal, Tiwari, who won the 2021 state assembly election from Howrah, became sports minister in the Mamamata Banerjee led TMC government of her third term Under his stewardship Bengal reached the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy final, a legacy he left for Bengal cricket before hanging his boots.

Tiwary, who hold the position as West Bengal Sports Minsiter, also led Bengal to Ranji Trophy 2022-23 final.

The soft-spoken Tiwari also represented Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, and Rising Pune Supergiants in the Indian Premier League championships.

A gentleman and a cricketer Manoj Tiwari taking the opportunity of his retirement announcement, thanked his former mates and coach Manabendra Ghosh, “Manabendra Ghosh, my father figure like coach has been the pillar in the cricketing journey. If he had not been there then I would have not reached anywhere in the cricketing circle. Thank you Sir and wish you a speedy recovery, as your health is not keeping well. Thank you to my Dad and Mom, they both never put pressure on me to focus on my studies rather they encouraged me to continue in cricket. Big thank you to my wife, @roy_susmita7 who has always been on my side from the time she came into my life.” Tiwari said. (UNI)