Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s test wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha had a telling influence on Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fortune in the road to IPL 2020 playoffs this season. The Bengal stumper had been a game changer not just with his keeping but also as an opening batsman alongside David Warner. It takes a huge task to replace someone like Johny Bairstow but Wriddhi seized the opportunity with both hands. For someone playing only once in the first 11 games, it took a masterstroke by the SRH think tank to promote him up the order. Saha’s form has been one of the key reason for SRH securing the playoffs spot.
The franchise from Hyderabad was in a crunch situation in a bid to secure the playoffs spot and Wriddhiman’s arrival completely overturned their fortunes.The right-hander, who had to spend majority of the tournament on the sidelines looked in form right from the start registering scores of 87, 39 and 58* in his last three innings and has been exceptional behind the stumps to play an instrumental role in SRH’s playoffs qualifications.
It was a tactical gamble to replace Wriddhi with the England World Cup winning star Bairstow in the match against Delhi Capitals and it paid off as he smashed 87 from 45 balls and shared a 107-run opening stand with Warner in a must win tie against DC. The 31 year old glovesman also played a crucial knock against Royal Challengers Bangalore. And in the must win clash against table toppers Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, the duo of Warner and Wriddhi put an unbeaten 151 runs in the run chase with almost three overs to spare, sealing a place in the playoffs. While Warner was the dominant batsman of the two striking his way to form with a blazing 58 ball 85 runs. Saha too played his part, scoring a well made 58 off 45 balls.
Warner and Saha are the only openers this IPL to score half-centuries in the same game on two occasions – against DC and MI. Saha’s free strokeplay against all kinds of bowling has allowed Warner to play his natural, aggressor’s role. Even though it is only in the two matches where the Warner-Saha combination has blossomed, but both these were must-win games for the Sunrisers.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain must admit Saha’s contribution to the change in fortune of the Orange Army.