Mumbai: Indian cricketer Wriddhiman Saha struck a match-winning double ton on Tuesday to help Rest of India lift the Irani Cup as they beat Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat by six wickets.
Read: Not concerned with competition by Parthiv Patel, says Wriddhiman Saha
The Irani Cup match was also seen as a battle between Saha and Parthiv Patel for the wicket-keeping slot in India’s Test side. The veteran Gujarat wicket-keeper took Saha’s place in the last three Tests against England after the latter was ruled out midway during the series due to a hamstring injury.
The double century would help Saha to seal his place in the team and the 32-year-old has credited Virender Sehwag for his attacking innings.
"Most of the shots that I played in the innings were lofted. Actually, it was Sehwag who once told me that if I can hit a couple of boundaries early in my innings (with lofted strokes), it automatically eases the pressure and also can get the bowlers rattled," Saha was quoted as saying by News18.com.
Read: Irani Trophy 200 one of my best but value my twin 50's vs NZ more: Wridddhiman Saha
Saha revealed that he had planned to play lofted shots to put pressure on the opposition.
"So, all I was thinking was to go after the bowlers with lofted strokes. He (Sehwag) suggested that I should not curb my natural stroke play. If a ball is there to be hit, I should go after it," Saha said.
Read: Chief selector clears Wriddhiman Saha as India’s No 1 wicket-keeper in Tests
Shah’s unbeaten 203 was the wicket-keeper’s first double ton in any first-class match.
National team chief Selector MSK Prasad has already confirmed that Saha is India’s first choice wicket-keeper.
