ICC World T20 Trophy Tour At Kolkata

T 20  WORLD CUP  TROPHY   AT  ESPLANADE    (2)
Manoj Tiwary and Subhalakshmi Sharma with ICC word t20 trophy. Image Source: XtraTime


Kolkata: People of Kolkata have witnessed something special on Wednesday afternoon in the streets of Esplanade. On working days, Esplanade used to be congested with people hurrying around to catch their respective vehicles to reach their working destination. On Wednesday, the story was little different. Esplanade area was congested but it was for the ICC T20 Trophy tour which was held at Kolkata.

As per schedule, Kolkata is due to host the final of the men’s and women’s T20 World Cup at the Eden Gardens. Besides the final, Kolkata will host some of the league matches and some of the warm-up matches including a game of India.

Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary and Indian women’s team member Subhalakshmi Sharma were present during the Trophy tour from Esplanade to Eden Gardens in an open-roof double-decker bus where the trophy was unveiled. ICC with BCCI and UNICEF organized a programme with kids at the Eden which was named as ICC Cricket for Good and UNICEF launch Team Swachh Clinic in partnership with BCCI.

Manoj was later quoted as saying, “ I am very thrilled with this exposure and it’s a great feeling for all as Kolkata is hosting the final. I believe that India will play the final.” On asking him about best two moments for him in the World T20 events, the Bengal dasher added,” My best two moments are both against Pakistan in 2007 World Cup. I was in the 30 member probable squad. But unfortunately could not make it to the final 15. But I watched all the matches closely. The league match against Pakistan which turned out to a bowl out at the end was very thrilling to watch and the final match where Dhoni surprisingly handed over the ball to inexperienced Joginder Sharma got the most valuable wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq caught by Sreesanth at the fine-leg dramatically which gave us the World Cup.

Subhalaksmi Sharma. India Women’s cricketer from Hazaribag was also quoted as saying, ”We are ready for the World T20 as we had played some good competitive cricket against quality sides like Australia and Sri Lanka and won those matches.

Manoj and Subhalakshmi were found giving tips to young children about some batting skills.

ICC World T20 to be played across 8 venues in India from March 8 to April 3.