Was tensed as selectors picked Indian squad for Bangladesh Test: Wriddhiman Saha
Kolhata: India Test side wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha admitted that he felt tensed ahead of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors’ meet on Tuesday.
Wriddhiman had been replaced by Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel behind the stumps in the last three of the five Tests against England due to an injury. The 31-year-old had been recovering from a thigh injury towards the end of 2016.
New BCCI norms state that a cricketer returning from injury must prove his fitness in a domestic game before being considered for the national side.
Read: Ind vs Ban: Parthiv dropped, Wriddhiman returns to squad
While the unbeaten 203 he scored against Gujarat for the Rest of India in the Irani Trophy virtually sealed his spot in the Indian Test side, Saha revealed that he was still jittery ahead of the squad announcement, which took place on Tuesday.
“I was feeling a lot tensed I must admit while the selection meeting was on. But I am feeling a lot more relaxed now,” Wriddhiman was quoted as saying to Xtratime. “My job now will be to do justice to my selection with my batting and wicket-keeping.”
Although MSK Prasad has confirmed that Saha as India’s numero uno choice for the wicketkeeper’s role in Test cricket, the Bengal cricketer is facing stiff competition from Parthiv Patel. Thus the one-off Test against Bangladesh will be a crucial stage where Saha can prove his credentials ahead of the four home Tests against Australia. With the Indian Premier League also set to begin later this year, Wriddhiman brushed aside any possible difficulties that players may face while shifting between different formats of the game.
Read: Wriddhiman Saha credits Virender Sehwag for Irani Cup double ton
“Nowadays we are used to hopping from one format to the other. What is important is getting some useful match practice,” he said.
The 31-year-old believes that although Bangladesh have improved a lot over the last few years, India still hold the upper hand, as the Hyderabad Test will be their home game.
“They have done well against us in the past in the shorter format. But going by our recent form, I feel India will be favourites against any team at home,” he said.
