Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha made his second Test hundred on Friday against Bangladesh in the one-off Test here. Saha, who is playing his 21st Test, said the century was a "special milestone."
Saha recently made a first-class double hundred in the Irani Trophy against Gujarat before returning to the national side. Bangladesh's bolwers, he said, was more challenging than the Gujarat attack.
"But, my approach has been the same in both the matches," he added, "Initially, I got a chance but importantly I carried on with positive intent."
Saha, however, rated the unbeaten half-centuries he scored in Kolkata against New Zealand last year higher than Friday's hundred.
"Definitely, I value my half-centuries against New Zealand more than this century because my team needed contribution then and the quality of the bowling was also good," Saha remarked.
On his captain Virat Kohli's successful challenge against an lbw decision before he went on to score a double century, Saha said that the former thought he was out. "But I told him that he has probably stretched his front foot more. Hopefully, the impact may be outside the line and the ball had spun slightly. It might be missing the leg-stump, I felt. So, he took the call and was successful in the challenge."
Saha also revealed that "Sanjay Bhaiyya" (Sanjay Bangar) advised him during the tea break to play straight when he was 17 away from a century. "I just followed his advice and am glad with my effort."
On batting with Kohli, Saha said, "He would always tell you that 'play your natural game. If you feel you can hit the ball, go for it.' That's why I tried playing that shot (referring to the missed stumping chance) but Virat said that 'it's not a problem, if you again get a chance, hit it.' He always gives you confidence which is a plus."
On not opting for a DRS when Kohli was given out on 204, Saha said the captain "was 100 per cent sure he was out. He didn't take a chance and saved a DRS for the team."
Referring to Parthiv Patel, Saha said that whenever he got injured the former performed well. "But, may be, after my double century in Irani Trophy, the selectors took a decision which everyone needed to accept."
Saha said that it was a great plus that captain Kohli backs players returning from injuries. "If you are clearly told that as and when you recover you will be back in the team, the individual gets more motivated and that reflects in your performance."
MEHEDI HASAN: 'WE CAN STILL FIGHT BACK'
Bangladesh off-spinner Mehedi Hasan felt Bangladesh could still fight back if it puts up a better batting display.
"We scored close to 600 against New Zealand in a Test match recently and so we have the confidence that we can make a match over the next few days," Mehedi said.
"Fielding lapses are part and parcel of the game. We have to move on. It is a huge learning experience for all the bowlers to bowl against some of the best batsmen in the world," he said, "Yes, watching these great players like Kohli on TV and then bowling to them is a different kind of experience. A huge learning curve for all of us indeed.
"Well, against England we bowled on turning tracks but here it is a flat one and so we were not that effective," Hasan said.
Comments
SHARE