MANOJ Tiwary, a pillar of Bengal cricket and with over 10,000 First-class runs under his belt, retired last week after a two-decade long career. A week before he hung up his boots, Tiwary posted on X that there were ‘so many things wrong’ in Ranji Trophy cricket, the country’s premier domestic tournament. “It is losing its charm and importance. Absolutely frustrated.” Tiwary, a Trinamool Congress politician and the Bengal sports minister, spoke to The Indian Express about why he ranted; from hungover umpires to cramped dressing rooms, to IPL-contracted players not ready to grind it out in domestic red-ball cricket, the reasons are many he says. Excerpts.
You had recently posted on X that Ranji Trophy should be ‘scrapped off from the calendar’ Why?
I gave this assessment based on what I witnessed while playing in the tournament. The significance and charm of Ranji Trophy has diminished because the IPL auction happens before the tournament starts. Once a player gets an IPL contract, they don’t have the drive to play Ranji Trophy. There is also the fear that if an injury is sustained during a Ranji Trophy game, it could affect the IPL contract. There is a lot of money involved in the IPL. I think domestic cricket needs ‘servicing’ now.
Do you think those with IPL contracts don’t take Ranji Trophy seriously enough?
Yes, players don’t play with seriousness after that (getting an IPL contract). When we started playing domestic cricket, we were told to play with seriousness, be determined, play for the team and aim to be a match-winner. I don’t see that grit and hunger in domestic cricket anymore. Players picked for IPL, they come and play only one way. I’m not saying it’s bad but it’s similar style. Ranji Trophy is the tournament, which can produce cricketers who are ready for Test cricket. IPL can teach a player about ‘intent’ but carelessness also creeps in as players are trying to score off everyball. In Ranji Trophy you have to grind out your runs.
You also spoke about scheduling issues. Could you elaborate?
India A matches should not be scheduled at the same time as Ranji Trophy games. A lot of time and effort goes into preparing a team for a Ranji Trophy season. And then three to four players from that team are called up for India A duty. In our team (Bengal), the top two players were representing India A and one was on India duty. I’m fine with Mukesh Kumar on India duty but Akash Deep and Abhimanyu Easwaran were playing for India A. They are core members of the team and in the past their performance helped us to reach the final. When these players left, our team became weak.
What about matches held in peak winter in North India?
In North Zone and East Zone there is fog and playing matches at that time has resulted in draws and teams having to split points. In the end, it affects a team’s position on the points table. An example was our game against Uttar Pradesh. There was no play for two days because of bad weather. Same thing happened during the game against Chhattisgarh. We wanted to qualify for the knockouts but because of the weather, we lost out on points. These issues need to be considered when preparing the schedule.
What about the facilities at venues? Have you faced any issues?
Yes in Kerala, we played not at the stadium but at Xavier’s college ground (in Thumba). The college dressing rooms were very small and close to each other. There was no privacy for both the teams. If we spoke or planned anything, the opposition team could hear us. So we had to formulate plans on the ground. Ranji Trophy games should be played at venues where there are basic facilities.
Bengal cricketers and support staff carry their skipper Manoj Tiwary after they won the Ranji Trophy match against Bihar at Eden Garden in Kolkata, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Tiwari is retiring from all formats of cricket. (PTI Photo)
You had said on X that you were frustrated with the state of Ranji Trophy cricket. What are your other concerns?
Umpiring for me is the main concern. With all due respect, but the standard of umpiring is poor in domestic cricket. The BCCI should think about how they can improve umpiring. It is not about one or two seasons but I have been witnessing this for a number of years now. There are big mistakes but there are some childish mistakes as well.
Can you elaborate?
In one game, an off-spinner was making a particular noise after each delivery. Many bowlers do… it’s like they are putting some energy on the ball and it sounds like ‘uhhhhhhhh’. In this case an off-spinner was screaming ‘noooo’. At first I ignored it but later I saw the bowler was doing it consistently. I went to the umpire and complained but the umpire said he did not hear the bowler saying ‘noooo’.
In the same game, the umpire was referring no-ball decisions to the third umpire after each delivery. I asked, “Sir, why are you referring no ball calls to the umpire. He replied, ‘how can I see the popping crease of the bowler? If I watch where the bowler’s foot lands then, I will not be able to see what happens to the ball’.” At times umpires can’t hear a batsman nicking the ball, but everyone at the ground has heard it.
Do you plan to make recommendations to the BCCI?
I will definitely do it. If a player has to go through dope tests, it should be extended to domestic umpires. Many times I have seen umpires walking out to the middle while still nursing a hangover. The umpires have looked sleepy. How can he function properly in such a situation?.
I asked, “Sir kya liye tha kal raat mein? (Sir, what did you drink last night?). The reply was: “I prefer whisky on the rocks.” And they laugh. BCCI should get the hearing and eyesight of every umpire checked before the start of each season.
Are you fine with the concussion rule in domestic cricket?
It should be relooked at. This rule is being misused by players with IPL contracts. There have been instances where a batsman is hit on the helmet… ‘halka sa ekdum’. Then you see that the batsman is walking back. Earlier, when a batsmen would get hit, no one dared to go and sit back in the dressing room. Unless of course there was a serious issue. It should be looked into.
There has been a trend of some players playing only white-ball cricket and skipping red-ball domestic cricket
Yes, it’s there. I feel players shouldn’t be blamed. If a young player is getting Rs 5 crores from the IPL, it goes to their head. He will tell himself that ‘I will play two months of IPL cricket and earn so much money’. Why would a player toil hard in red-ball cricket for a small amount of money when he can earn in millions by playing two months in the IPL. It (referring to Ishan Kishan) is the first time I have seen a player informing an Indian team during a series that he has mental fatigue and takes a break and then is reportedly seen partying. An IPL player has so much financial security. He knows that someone at the top will help in the future and everything will be fine.
Are you happy with the pitches being prepared for domestic cricket?
For me this neutral curator concept should be done away with. It’s a sham. A neutral curator takes over the preparation of the pitch some 5-6 days before each game. They have to ensure that the home team does not get an advantage. But in one game, the ball began to turn from the first few overs itself. The game lasted just four sessions.
You retired after 20 years of playing the game, Any regrets?
I enjoyed my time. I have scored more than 10,000 first class runs but till date I feel sad that I wasn’t able to play Test cricket for India. One day I would like to ask Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) why I was dropped from the playing XI in 2011 after scoring a century (versus West Indies in an ODI)? I had the potential to be a hero just like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli. Today, when I see many people getting more opportunities, I feel sad. Overall it has been a great ride for me and cricket has given me everything and changed my life. So no complaints.
Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary prays at the pitch after the team's win in the Ranji Trophy match against Bihar at Eden Garden in Kolkata, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Tiwari is retiring from all formats of cricket. (PTI Photo) 
Bengal cricketers and support staff carry their skipper Manoj Tiwary after they won the Ranji Trophy match against Bihar at Eden Garden in Kolkata, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Tiwari is retiring from all formats of cricket. (PTI Photo)
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