Manoj Tiwary ready for English challenge

After being summoned as the late replacement of an injured Rohit Sharma for the remaining of India's ODI series against England, Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary said he wants to carry on his rich vein of form from the Emerging Players' tour of Australia.

"When you are in good form, you need to cash in on the opportunities that are provided to you. For me, the Emerging Players Tour in Australia was a big confidence-booster and I would like to carry my good form to England," Tiwari told PTI from Kolkata.

He confessed that being the highest scorer in the Emerging Players' tournament did help his cause to get the call-up.

"I think my 188 against New Zealand 'A' was one of my best innings. The ball did seam around and I batted confidently. I have been on 'A' tours before but thanks to coach Bharath Arun who let me bat at my preferred no. 4 slot, which did my confidence a world of good," he said.

Tiwary's name was doing the rounds since Rohit fractured his finger during the first ODI at Chester-le-Street on Saturday, but the Bengal captain said that selection was not playing on his mind.

"I was watching the match and it was unfortunate that Rohit got injured. I was not thinking about the selection."

"Honestly speaking, before the start of the series, the thought of making the cut crossed my mind but not this time. I was just playing for my employers CESC in the Corporate Trophy in Bangalore. I was just following my schedule," Tiwary said.

It's still not clear as to when Tiwary will be joining his India teammates as the visa formalities will only start on Monday.

Asked whether there will be a lot more pressure on him considering the Indian team's disastrous show in England, Tiwary said, "That's a big challenge for me. If I have to cement my place then I have to score in a pressure scenario."