New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boots are too big to fill in and no one knows it more than Wriddhiman Saha, who put himself several notches below India's one-day skipper in an honest evaluation.
"It's not easy to come out of MS Dhoni's shadows considering his achievements. I have played only few Test matches and I need to play a lot more before I can carve a niche on my own. If you ask me MS is 9/10 and I am 2.5/10," Wriddhiman told PTI on sidelines on the eve of Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Delhi.
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"Why he is 9 and I am 2.5, because his achievements are such. One of the finest ODI players and also had accomplishments in Test cricket. He has had many crucial Test match knocks. I have to play a few myself before I come out of his shadows," said the Bengal stumper.
Wriddhiman's nearest rival for Test spot is Naman Ojha, who had a decent outing in the Colombo Test which the former missed due to a hamstring injury. "It's simple. If I perform I will play and if it’s Naman, who performs it will be him. I am under no illusions. I have got a chance in two games because I scored two half-centuries. If I don't perform I would be replaced.
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That holds for any cricket team. When you are a relative newcomer, chances will be less compared to established names, who would get more chances. But you have to grab whatever comes your way," he said.
The jury is still out whether he can fit in as No 6 in Test team which would allow Virat Kohli to play five bowlers. "I don't think I have problems with batting No 6. I have batted against the second new ball and with the tail also. So I think it is not as big an issue it is made out to be. I am comfortable batting at No 6," the 30-year old said.
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Asked about his preparation for the upcoming South Africa series, Wriddhiman said, "Obviously, with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, both pace and bounce would be a factor. I have done separate training against the short ball in Kolkata recently. Taking throw downs with emphasis on rising deliveries. I have confidence that I can tackle both Steyn and Morkel."
