Saurabh Tiwary sits atop a jeep as his fans take out a victory rally after his arrival in Jamshedpur. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, March 5: After what Under-19 ICC World Cup champion team member Saurabh Tiwary experienced today, he would prefer batting against speedsters than making his way out of Sonari aerodrome thronged by his fans.

The 19-year-old southpaw struck a patient and crucial 29 for Team India in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Kuala Lumpur. But climbing a decorated jeep that formed an integral part of the procession, which wound its way through the city streets to his home, appeared tougher.

Sporting blue denim and a black shirt, the youngster seemed a bit bemused by the adulation showered on him by the crowd gathered outside the aerodrome. Others who landed at the aerodrome by Air Deccan flight from Calcutta faced inconvenience in getting out of the venue as the gate was jam-packed with the supporters of the latest cricket icon from Jharkhand.

The entire Tiwary family, including his parents and sisters, was present at the aerodrome to greet the cricketer, a Class XII student at KMPM Inter College.

Senior officials of Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) and wannabe players from coaching camps also made their presence felt and looked in a hurry to shake hands with him.

“It’s a big honour wearing the blue Team India cap. I feel honoured to represent my country and play a role in winning the World Cup,” Tiwary said after paying obeisance at Beldih Kalibari Ashram.

The procession later proceeded towards Sakchi, and then to Tinplate, where the southpaw visited another temple.

The exploits with his broad willow in Kuala Lumpur notwithstanding, the youngster, who topped the batting average for India during the Under-19 tri-series in South Africa, clarified that he did not suffer from groin injury in the final against South Africa.

Tiwary, who received a cheque of Rs 15 lakh from the BCCI during the team’s felicitation in Bangalore yesterday, would be felicitated by the JSCA tomorrow at the Media Centre of Keenan Stadium.