There is absolutely no doubt that 2017 has been the year of Wridhiman Saha coming into his own. A year of the diminutive wicket-keeper batsman from Bengal finally and completely stepping out of the shadows of his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni. However The Ranchi Test marks as red letter day in the 32-year-old's career. His carefully nurtured 199 run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara for the seventh wicket brought out the batsman with the long game in him to perfection. Saha went on to register his third Test hundred, a confident essay as he blossomed in the company of a regular partner in crime—Pujara. He rated his 117 at the Jharkand State Cricket Association International Stadium as his best Test ton so far. The best of the lot. “We needed a partnership, and we built it slowly. Puji (Pujara) made a double hundred and I made a hundred. This has to be one of the best,” said Saha after the fourth day's play.
Saha has gained confidence also thanks to the backing the team management has given him. A debut in 2010, followed by return in 2012 and almost four years spent as Dhoni's understudy, Saha was India's Number 2 wicket-keeper on all away tours from 2012 till he got the job full time on Dhoni's retirement in November 2014 in Australia. It is a huge task to fill the big shoes of the iconic Indian skipper and the wicket keeper in all quarters of the game. Dhoni's glove work was exemplary while his batting was one of a kind, impactful. Saha, however, has persevered, constantly improving. “Not too many changes. But I am backing myself a lot more. My go-to shots—the sweep and the shot over the top stepping out... Initially when I came into the Test team, I played those shots hesitantly, but now I am 100% confident. The team, the captain, the coaches, everyone is fully behind me and that is good for me,” said Saha who originally hails from Siliguri and has played for the historic Mohun Bagan club in Kolkata. He spends time between matches playing for his state Bengal or turning up for his club rather than choosing to take rest.
The Saha - Pujara show is undoubtedly the best batting and partnership display in the matches India has been involved in the current Test season. Even Saha admitted it took him back to the unforgettable Rahul Dravid-V.V.S. Laxman partnership at Eden Gardens against Australia in 2001. But the secret of their successful combination also lies in having played a lot of domestic cricket together. Recently, in January, the duo were involved in an epic chase playing for Rest of India against Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat in the Irani Trophy Finals. Saha and Pujara had a 316 run partnership for the fifth wicket to upset the fancied Gujarat side. While Pujara made an unbeaten 116, it was Saha who was the star of the match scoring 203 not out. “In that game, Puji backed me and encouraged me to play my shots and be positive. The same approach was there today as well. Even when I defended, I did it in a positive sense and when I played my shots, that was also in a positive sense. He backed me, hence it was possible to have a good partnership,” revealed Saha.
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann ranked the Pujara-Saha partnership as “right up there at the top” along with many that Australia have witnessed blossom and thrive against them much to their agony.
