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Saurabh Sunil Tiwary, popularly known as Saurav, is an Indian cricketer who has made a mark in the cricketing world with his impressive batting skills. Born on December 30, 1989, in Jamshedpur, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), Tiwary began his cricketing journey at the young age of 11. Starting off as a batsman for Jharkhand at the Under-14 level, he quickly rose through the ranks and made his first-class debut in the 2006–07 Ranji Trophy.
Hailing from Jamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand), Saurabh Tiwary developed a love for cricket at an early age. Growing up in a cricket-loving family, he was inspired by watching matches on television and idolized legendary cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.
Tiwary's fascination with cricket translated into action when he started playing competitive cricket at just 11 years old. Representing Jharkhand at the Under-14 level, it was evident that he possessed immense talent with the bat. His natural ability to time the ball and play elegant strokes made him stand out among his peers.
Saurabh Tiwary's rise to prominence began with his performances for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After joining the franchise in 2008, he steadily improved over the years and became a regular member of their playing XI during IPL 2010. His explosive batting style and ability to finish matches earned him comparisons to former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Tiwary's breakout season came in IPL 2010, where he was named Under-23 Player of the Tournament. He scored an impressive total of 419 runs in 16 matches at an average of 29.92 and a strike rate of 135.59. These performances caught the attention of Royal Challengers Bangalore, who acquired him for a hefty sum of USD 1.6 million ahead of IPL 2011.
Tiwary's journey in the IPL continued with stints at Delhi Daredevils and Rising Pune Supergiants. While he showed glimpses of his talent, he was unable to establish himself as a permanent fixture in the playing XI. However, Tiwary returned to Mumbai Indians in the 2018 and 2020 IPL auctions, showcasing the trust placed in him by the franchise.
Saurabh Tiwary has showcased his batting skills across different formats of the game. While he has primarily excelled as a middle-order batsman, he has also contributed with his left-arm spin on occasion.
In terms of international cricket, Tiwary made his ODI debut against Australia in Visakhapatnam on October 20, 2010. Although he had limited opportunities at the highest level, he displayed flashes of brilliance during his short stint with the national team.
In first-class cricket, Tiwary has been an integral part of Jharkhand's batting lineup for several years. With over 7,872 runs to his name at an average of 47.70, including 21 centuries and 34 fifties, he has established himself as one of their most consistent performers.
Similarly, in List A matches, Tiwary has made significant contributions with over 3,712 runs at an average of 48.20. With six centuries and 24 fifties to his name, Tiwary's ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required has been a valuable asset for Jharkhand.
In T20 matches, Tiwary has displayed his versatility as a middle-order batsman. He has amassed over 3,354 runs at an average of 29.42, showcasing his ability to score quick runs in the shortest format of the game.
While Tiwary's batting prowess is evident from his impressive statistics, it is important to note that his bowling record is not as significant. Although he has bowled in limited-overs cricket and first-class matches, he is primarily known for his batting skills.
Saurabh Tiwary has had a limited international career, but he has made notable contributions in the tournaments he has participated in. One of the standout moments of his career came early on when he represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2008. It was in this tournament that Tiwary showcased his potential as a left-handed middle-order batsman.
Moving on to the IPL, Tiwary's performances have been closely followed by fans and experts alike. Representing Mumbai Indians initially, he quickly became a regular player for the franchise during the 2010 season.
In terms of statistics, Tiwary's best tournament performance came during IPL 2010 when he won the Under-23 Player of the Tournament award.
Moving forward, Tiwary's journey in IPL saw him being signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping sum of USD 1.6 million ahead of the 2011 season. However, he struggled to find form with RCB.
In subsequent seasons, Tiwary represented Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants, and Mumbai Indians again. While there were occasional glimpses of his talent, consistency remained elusive for him at times.
Despite not having played many international matches or series beyond his ODI debut against Australia in October 2010, Saurabh Tiwary has been able to make an impact through his performances in domestic cricket and leagues like the IPL.
Saurabh Tiwary is a left-handed middle-order batsman known for his ability to stabilize the innings and play long, patient knocks. He possesses excellent technique and a solid temperament that allows him to absorb pressure in crucial situations.
Tiwary's style of play can be compared to that of Yuvraj Singh, who was also a left-handed middle-order batsman known for his aggressive stroke play. While Tiwary may not possess the same power-hitting abilities as Yuvraj, he compensates with his ability to build innings and anchor the team's batting.
One of Tiwary's key strengths is his ability to rotate the strike. He has a keen understanding of when to take singles and keep the scoreboard ticking, which helps maintain a steady flow of runs even during periods of consolidation.
Overall, Saurabh Tiwary brings stability and solidity to any batting lineup he represents. His ability to build partnerships and play calculated innings makes him an asset in longer formats of the game.
Tiwary's focus has always been on his game and contributing to his team's success. In terms of endorsements and brand sponsorships, Tiwary does not have a significant presence in this domain. He prefers to stay away from commercial distractions and maintain his focus solely on cricket.
Saurabh Tiwary's legacy in cricket is yet to be fully established. While he has had a successful domestic career, his impact on the international stage has been limited. However, his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have earned him recognition and praise. Tiwary's ability to score crucial runs and contribute to his team's victories in IPL matches has made him a valuable player in the tournament. His left-handed batting style and aggressive approach have influenced other young cricketers, inspiring them to follow a similar path. Although he may not have left an indelible mark on international cricket just yet, Tiwary's contributions to franchise T20 cricket cannot be overlooked.
Saurabh Tiwary's career has not garnered significant recognition or awards at the international level. However, his performances in domestic cricket, particularly in the IPL, have earned him appreciation and accolades.
In 2010, Tiwary was awarded the "Under-23 Player of the Tournament" for his impressive batting display in that year's IPL season.
Tiwary's performances in domestic cricket earned him a call-up to the Indian national team for the Asia Cup in 2010 and subsequently made his ODI debut against Australia later that year.
Tiwary's most significant impact has been in franchise T20 cricket, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
While his international career did not take off as expected, Tiwary has remained consistent and resilient at the domestic level. Tiwary's aggressive approach at the crease makes him an exciting player to watch.
FAQs
What is Saurabh Tiwary's highest score in an ODI match?
Saurabh Tiwary's highest ODI score is 37* against Australia in October 2010.
Has Saurabh Tiwary ever captained any team?
Yes, Saurabh Tiwary has captained the Jharkhand Ranji Trophy team during his domestic career.
How many centuries has Saurabh Tiwary scored in first-class cricket?
Saurabh Tiwary has scored 21 centuries in first-class cricket.
Has Saurabh Tiwary received any major awards for his performances?
While he hasn't received major individual awards at the international level, he was awarded the "Under-23 Player of the Tournament" for IPL 2010.
What is Saurabh Tiwary's role in franchise T20 cricket?
Saurabh Tiwary is a middle-order batsman known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score quick runs. He often plays crucial innings under pressure for his team.
