Sachins words changed life: Tiwary

A brief interaction with Sachin Tendulkar changed Manoj Tiwarys attitude towards life just when the Bengal and...

A brief interaction with Sachin Tendulkar changed Manoj Tiwarys attitude towards life just when the Bengal and Delhi Daredevils batsman was pondering over his future,having been ruled out of the Indian Premier Leagues season two owing to a finger injury.

I will treasure those 20 minutes, says Tiwary of the discussion he had with Tendulkar South Africa. I was disappointed after the injury. I was among the 30 probables for the World Twenty20 and a good tournament wouldve helped me a lot. However,Sachin made me understand that it was not the end of the world. He told me that I had age on my side and theres every chance that I would make a comeback.

He also said after these injuries,I would come back stronger. It helped me change my perspective towards life, says Tiwary,whose career has been punctuated by injuries.

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In 2007,on the eve of his ODI debut against Bangladesh,he had hurt his shoulder and had to return home. Maybe,its the Tendulkar effect but he doesnt rue the missed opportunities anymore. The lay off allowed me to read a couple of books on Oscar Pistorius and Lance Armstrong. They were really motivating, says the right-hander.

Having recovered from the finger injury,Tiwary has set his sights on the opportunities ahead. Up next is the Emerging Players tournament in Australia and the Champions League. Delhi Daredevils have qualified for the league and a good performance there will once again bring me back in contention. The next World T20 is less than a year away. I hope the rub of the green starts going my favour.