It's not the fall, but the getting up that's hardest

Manoj Tiwary could not wait to get that India cap but now the man who had refused to recognise pressure or fear will have to learn a new, perhaps tougher trait - patience. While he sits and ponders, he can reflect on what Ravi Shastri said in Kolkata when Rahul Dravid got injured in the nets. "Getting injured is a part of the enjoyment process. This is not a game of marbles; it is a sport and you are bound to get injured." But so soon?

At the preparatory camp in Kolkata, Tiwary had impressed both Dravid and Shastri with his eagerness and enthusiasm. Ironically, it is that same enthusiasm which cost him his debut. Watching the incident, at Tuesday's outfielding practice drill, at close quarters, one could immediately sense that Tiwary had had a bad fall. Yuvraj Singh had twice taken it easy and hadn't risked his braced knee by diving to save a similar boundary. Tiwary, though, too young and fast to contemplate the consequences of a false move, dived to save that ball as if four runs were required off the last ball of a match.

He saved the four all right but as he fell things slowed down. Unsuspecting team-mates shouted, "Manoj, char ja raha hai!. (It's going for four!)" Tiwary didn't get up, and waited for John Gloster to come and attend to him. Initial applause for the effort was slowly replaced by concern. That boundary didn't really matter. His tour, now, for all practical purposes, has ended, as Cricinfo reported yesterday and Dravid confirmed today. "He probably won't be available for the series. It's really disappointing and we feel for the youngster. It's sad for a kid to be selected and to have an unfortunate injury like this. We feel for him."

Tiwary's attitude during the domestic championships had been a breeze of fresh air; he had talked big, saying he did not fear anything; he enjoyed bowlers sledging him; he seemed to love the big challenge. His international debut, therefore, was much anticipated; this was his chance to walk his talk. But all he can do now is wait, as Dravid said, "He is in good hands [Gloster's[. The board will be behind him and hopefully he can get through this and come back for more... He has a lot of cricket ahead of him."