Wriddhiman Saha is still going strong at the age of 38. (pic credit: sportzpix)
Wriddhiman Saha knows he is nearing the end of his career and is determined to make a significant contribution to whichever team he represents.
Gujarat Titans wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha played a blistering 43-ball 81 against Lucknow Super Giants last week and caught the attention of RCB and India batsman Virat Kohli. Kohli praised Saha on his Instagram story, tagging him and wrote, ‘What a player’.
Saha and Shubman Gill put on an impressive 142-run partnership for the first wicket in just 12.1 overs, with Gill scoring an unbeaten 94 to help GT post 227/2 in 20 overs. Speaking to the media, Saha expressed his gratitude for Kohli’s appreciation, saying, “It always feels good when a player of that stature appreciates you,” and it motivates him to follow the right procedure.
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“We didn’t really speak after that knock but it’s always nice when a player of that level appreciates you. Also, you get an idea that the process you are following is correct and it is motivating,” Saha said during an interaction with the media.
The Gujarat Titans player knows he is nearing the end of his career and is determined to make a significant contribution to whichever team he represents.
“You can say that I am at the end of my cricket career. When I started playing, I enjoyed the game and so I continued. As long as I enjoy it – whether it is in domestic cricket or in the IPL – and can contribute to the team’s success, I will keep trying and keep going. Whether the team chooses me or not is a matter of later, but I can only focus on my work.
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Gujarat Titans are at the top of the points table with 16 points from 11 matches with eight wins and three losses. According to Saha, the Titans’ strategy is simple – to perform as a team and secure two points from every game. “Apart from that, my job is to make valuable contributions to the team. As a team, there is only one focus and that is to perform well as a unit, get two points and move on in the competition.”
WTC squad missed
India’s wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul was ruled out of the WTC final due to a thigh injury he sustained during IPL 2023. In place of Rahul, young player Ishaan Kishan was included in the team.
But Saha’s GT teammate KS Bharat is likely to retain the wicket-keeping duties for the title clash. Asked if he had any interaction with Bharat, the right-handed batsman said, “India and I have been part of the national camp and the India ‘A’ team. We have discussed a lot of things in terms of keeping drills and this year also we have talked extensively about keeping, batting and how to deal with different situations.”
“With KS Bharath, we have discussed what he needs to work on. These are the things we talk about when we practice together. He is slowly working on those areas…”
Candid chat with Yash Dayal
Pacer Yash Dayal had a night to forget during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders as he smashed five maximums in the final over off his UP teammate Rinku Singh. Singh pulled off a stunning steal in the last over as the team chased down 205. Dayal has not featured in the GT playing XI since then. Saha, however, threw his weight behind the young pacer and said that any bowler can have a bad day, especially in the T20 format.
He said, ‘He had viral fever after the match (against KKR). But look, bad game can happen to anyone and Dayal. It is a format where a bowler can concede runs in one over. We are all talking to him,” he concluded.
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