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Wriddhiman is an automatic choice for tests, says Ganguly

[caption id="attachment_25527" align="alignnone" width="580"] Wriddhiman Saha scored a brilliant double century to help Rest of India lift the Irani Trophy against Gujarat. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Kolkata: Wriddhiman Saha, who became the first wicket-keeper in the country to score a double century in the Irani Trophy final against Gujarat has credited former India opener Virender Sehwag for reaching the milestone.  Saha scored a match winning knock of 203 runs to help Rest of India lift the Irani Trophy against Ranji champions Gujarat at Brabourne Stadium. Sehwag had suggested the Bengal stumper to play shots during his stint with Kings XI Punjab in IPL. In an interview to xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi, Saha said, “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 in early an over (with lofted strokes), it automatically eases the pressure and also can get the bowlers rattled. So, all I was thinking was to go after the bowlers with lofted strokes.” He further added, “He (Sehwag) suggested me that I should not curb my natural stroke play. If a ball is there to be hit, I should go after it.” Wridhiman had a tough time in the last couple of months as he had to miss the last couple of test matches against England owing to injury. But he worked hard with his fitness at National Cricket Academy (NCA) .Saha received a message from India coach Anil Kumble last night wherein he was suggested to finish off the game for his team. A relieved Wriddhi said to xtratime.in, “He sent me a sms last night reminding me that the job is not yet over. He urged me to finish the match. I am happy that I was able to do so.” Wriddhi became the first wicket-keeper batsman to score a double century in Irani Trophy final. It was also his first double figure score in any first class match. He credited Cheteswar Pujara for helping him achieve the milestone. According to Saha, “I have not given it a thought about scoring a double century, until Pujara came and told me. The idea only came when I reached 180 runs. His (Pujara) presence at the other end made my job a lot easier. I am grateful to him for helping me reach the milestone.” As far as his knock is concerned, he does not want to keep this as his best knock. On being asked about his memorable knock, Saha said, “It is one of my memorable knocks but not the best. The innings that I played against Karanataka in the Buchi Babu final in 2005 was the best. We were chasing 190 runs from 45 overs and were reduced to 50/8. But I anchored the team to a win along with Shabbir Ali.” Saha scored 88 runs in the final while Shabbir remained not out on 20 runs. Wridhiman’s wife Debarati was at the Brabourne Stadium to watch the final and she was not disappointed for sure. “My wife (Debarati) came to Mumbai to watch the final. After getting out for a duck in the first innings, she told me what the point scoring runs in local club cricket. She has been a lucky wherever I played, be it Duleep Trophy final in 2011-12 against Central Zone or in the IPL,” said Saha from Mumbai. Wriddhiman is not too worried about his selection in the Indian test squad for the upcoming series against Australia. Selectors will be keenly noting a point or two as he outshone Parthiv Patel in the match. “Parthiv came to me and congratulated me. I do not worry about team selection. My job is to score runs.” Sourav Ganguly, the President of Cricket Association of Bengal is also happy to see Wriddhi scoring a double century in Irani final. The former India captain felt, “Wriddhiman Saha is an automatic choice for the upcoming test series against Australia. With due respect to Parthiv, he has to sit down.”