Manoj Tiwary: IPL is a big platform but Test cricket is real cricket

Manoj Tiwary will attempt to make full use of his opportunity

Having been on the sidelines of the Indian team for years and getting injured at important junctions of his career, Manoj Tiwary is now looking to knock on the door of the Indian selectors yet again. The Delhi Daredevils batsman feels that this year’s IPL will be crucial as the countdown to the 2016 World T20 in India begins.

"Obviously, if we look back at the IPL from season 1, there are players who have played for India after doing well in IPL but now it's not the case. You have to perform well in IPL and back it up with a good domestic performance. So have to keep performing to get where you eventually want to be," he said.

IPL is a big platform, says Tiwary

Tiwary has appeared in 9 ODIs and 3 T20Is for India and believes that the IPL is the ideal platform to stage a comeback into the Indian team.

"Our aim is to be part of the Indian national team and so obviously IPL is a big platform and with World T20 coming next year, we have to perform well in this format. At the back of our minds, it will be there because if we do well the selectors might give us a chance and have faith again," he added.

The Bengal batsman moved from Delhi Daredevils (2008-09) to Kolkata Knight Riders (2010-13) and now is back again with the Delhi team. Despite playing so much of cricket in the IPL, he still believes that Test cricket is the purest form of the game.

"In T20, you just have to go out there and perform. This is not the real cricket. I always believe that real cricket is Test cricket. In this format, we just have to go out, back our skills and play to our potential.

"It's not about power hitting, it's more about timing. If you watched me over the years, I am more of a timer than a power hitter. We do see power hitting from strong physically-built players, but as a player we have to know our strength as well. Just following the trend is not an ideal preparation, knowing your strength is," Tiwary said.

Shreyas Iyer agrees with Tiwary

Young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer, who will also feature for the Daredevils in the upcoming IPL season, agrees with Tiwary and believes in getting the fundamentals right before counting on the big shots.

"Power hitting is not that important, you just need to time the ball well and play in the gaps," said the 20-year-old.

Speaking on the same lines as Tiwary, Shreyas added: "It (IPL) is a great platform for youngsters to prove themselves and we just need to concentrate on the present performances and not think about the future that much. Eventually our dream will be to play for India so it is a great platform for us,"