Debasis Sen, Colombo: Wriddhiman Saha got the biggest compliment of his cricket career so far. The Bengal keeper was rated the best wicketkeeper in the world at the moment by Virat Kohli on Sunday, following his efforts behind the stumps during the second test match here at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Complimenting Saha for his efforts, Kohli said, “Saha is definitely the best keeper in this format right now. He’s very agile and can create chances at any stage. Pujara and Rahane are our best Test players, KL played well too, and Jadeja contributed lower down the order. Pandya contributed too. For us, it’s about taking Indian cricket ahead.”
In his short career spanning just over two and a half years he is already turning out to be the vital cog in the current Indian team. The Bengal stumper is proving to be India’s most prized assets. And Kohli confirmed the same when he said that he felt Saha was the best in this format.
According to Virat, “To give away only four byes on that pitch speaks volumes. He’s right up there with the very best. I’d say he’s the best keeper in this format.”
His keeping at the SSC on that crumbling wicket on Day 3 and 4 against Ashwin and Jadeja were top draw. The three dismissals in the second innings of the game were enough proof about his skills. The catch he took to dismiss Kushal Mendis has to be one of the best in recent times in world cricket. When Mendis inside-edged Hardik Pandya and the ball looped up wide of Saha, the ‘keeper was the first to react. Even as the batsman wondered where the ball was headed, Saha was motoring down towards the ball before taking it inches off the ground.
The biggest quality of Saha is his willingness to learn. He is one guy who will never complain and is a thorough team man. The soft spoken wicketkeeper from Siliguri is on the verge of playing his 100th first class match, when he takes the field at Pallekele stadium for the third test. He has recently achieved the milestone of 50 catches in test cricket.
The only minus points if any about the Bengal wicket keeper is he needs to be a bit more authoritative and accurate while predicting DRS outcomes. The day he master it he can truly match his illustrious predecessor.