Tiwary, Dinda get ready for their 100th first-class appearance

Raipur, Oct 13 (PTI) Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary andsenior speedster Ashoke Dinda will be playing their coveted100th first-class game when the side...

Raipur, Oct 13 (PTI) Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary andsenior speedster Ashoke Dinda will be playing their coveted100th first-class game when the side takes on Chhattisgarh inits second Group D encounter of the Ranji Trophy.

"Personally, for me 100 is just a number. I will go outand play with the same intensity that I had when I made mydebut. It feels good to play 100 first-class matches becauseso many people have shown faith in my abilities. I am gratefulto God and these friends and seniors for being by my side.

This makes the game special," said Tiwary.

Tiwary, who has stacked up over 7000 runs against hisname with 23 hundreds in first class cricket, expressed hisgratitude to parent body CAB, friends and family.

"When I was young, I always wanted to play Ranji Trophyfor Bengal. So when I got a chance to represent Bengal, I washappy. A lot of people had been a part of this journey. Myparents, for their sacrifices, my brother for constantencouragement and my wife, who is my biggest inspiration. Ishould also mention my coach Manabendra Ghosh without whoseguidance, I would not have achieved anything.

"I also want to thank all my captains -- Sourav Ganguly,Devang Gandhi, Rohan Gavaskar, Deep Dasgupta and Laxmi RatanShukla, who guided me and helped me become a better cricketerand sportsman," he said.

Dinda on his part said: "It's an emotional and nostalgicmoment for me. I would like to thank everyone who stood by meand had faith in my abilities. Especially Atal Sir, who hasbeen my guide and mentor all these years.

"It is a great honour to lead Bengal's attack for allthese years. Tomorrow, that way is a special day when I get onto the ground. Thank you all once again for being by my side,"he said.

The duo will be presented with a cheque of Rs 1 lakh eachby CAB secretary Avishek Dalmiya before the start of thematch. PTI KHS CMCM.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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