Kolkata: Stylish middle-order batsman Manoj Tiwary said on Saturday that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would be keen to prove a point in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 to be held from September 23-October 9.
The Bengal skipper, who received the best cricketer award from the Calcutta Sports Journalists` Club on the occasion of International Sports Journalists Day, said KKR did well in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League but missed out on a chance to win the trophy.
"The next target is to do well in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20. Kolkata Knight Riders did well in the IPL. We have a lot of potential and we hope to prove that in CLT20," he said.
Tiwary, who has won the award twice, said the recognition inspires him to do well as a cricketer and hoped that he would win the Ranji Trophy for Bengal in the upcoming season.
"It means a lot to me. I hope to do better in the upcoming season and make Bengal proud.
"We have already won a title (Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy) last season and the main target for the upcoming season is to win the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. We need all of your support to achieve the goal," he said.
Tiwary, who was part of the Suresh Raina-led young Indian ODI squad that toured the West Indies recently, said coach Duncan Fletcher had advised him personally and he hoped to cement his place in the national team.
"We were a good side under Suresh Raina we played well and won (3-2). At the same time we should have won the two matches but it happens in cricket.
"Duncan Fletcher is a very good coach who comes up with fresh ideas. He has a set of plans for each and every cricketer. I look to follow them and apply to cement a placein the side," he said.
Tiwary, who will turn 26 in November, confessed that he would marry soon.
"I`ve a steady relationship with my girlfriend for more than five years. We hope to settle down, hopefully by the end of this year or in early 2012."
PTI
