Rising Pune Supergiant batsman Manoj Tiwary on Wednesday stressed on the importance of their team’s four-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens.

“It was a very important win for us because we were at number four and we knew that if we can win this game we will come ahead in the third spot, so obviously that was in the back of the head. They are such a strong side, they have got a very good balanced team and it was a great game for us to win,” said Tiwary.

Talking about the comeback into the national squad, Tiwary was optimistic about his chances. “I’m still obviously looking to make a comeback to the national team. I want to back my performance in the Ranji Trophy with a strong show in the IPL and that will help me make a strong case again. I have got the experience and I have played international cricket. It’s just that I have to be amongst runs,” he said.

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Tiwary has played 12 One-Day International games for India and has scored 287 runs including an unbeaten 104. He last donned the Indian jersey in 2015 against Zimbabwe. He has even played three Twenty20 Internationals games for India managing just 15 runs.

The 31-year-old also said that there was no guilt about beating Kolkata despite playing for them previously. “Every win is very important and IPL is such a big platform where you want to cherish all your winning moments. The way we have played as a team, we are going to cherish that and it’s a professional world and I have already mentioned that I was part of KKR for four years, I had a very good time here and contributed my stuff to KKR but now I’m playing for other team and obviously when I am playing for other team, I have to be loyal to them. I have to give 100% commitment to that team.”