Kolkata: Kings XI Punjab keeper Wriddhiman Saha’s preferred batting position in shorter format is to open the batting. Saha, who is back in the city after playing in the Indian Premier League said to xtratime.in , “My preferred position in the shorter format is to open the innings.”
The India stumper did prove his worth opening the batting for Kings XI Punjab in the penultimate match of the IPL 10 season where he scored a brilliant 93 runs from 55 balls. It was the first time he was asked to open the batting by none other than KXIP mentor Virender Sehwag. The Bengal stumper has been a vital cog in the Kings XI Punjab side ever since he joined the franchise in 2014. In the very first season with KXIP, Saha went on to score a brilliant century opening the batting in the IPL final in 2014. Unfortunately, his hundred went in vain as Kolkata Knight Riders had the last laugh.
Speaking about his chances in the shorter format Saha said, “It is up to the selectors to decide whether they want to consider me for the shorter formats or not. I am confident about playing in any format.”
Saha scored a match winning knock of 93 runs, opening the batting for KXIP. His innings against Mumbai Indians paved the way for a brilliant win for Kings.
Speaking on his knock against MI, Saha said, “It was the team management’s decision (read Sehwag’s decision) to send me to open the batting. May be there was no option as few of our foreign players who were opening the batting left for their country. It was one of my favourite T20 knock as I was given the license to go out in the middle and express myself.”
Saha will get a tough competition from Rishabh Pant who has impressed everyone with his batting prowess. The 19 year old is already being touted as the next replacement for MS Dhoni in the shorter format. Saha though is not too bothered with such a competition.
“No doubt he has done well in the shorter format so far. If he continues in this form, it will definitely augur well for him. But as far as competition with him is concerned, I am not too concerned,” said Saha.
Speaking about his IPL performance, Saha feel he should have done a lot better than what he achieved.
According to Saha, “I would have loved to score a lot more runs definitely. But I didn’t get enough opportunities to bat either.”