Kolkata: When Wriddhi scored his maiden IPL ton against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2014 final at Bengaluru, CAB officials felicitated him with two rings in between an Ambar Roy Trophy match interrupting it at the Eden Gardens. But this time when Wriddhi landed at the NSCB International Airport scoring a Test hundred in the Caribbean islands it was unfortunate that nobody from the CAB was there at the airport to receive him. But that aspect does not affect the fourth Bengali scoring a century in Test matches, at all. He was received by his family, daughter Anvi and wife Debarati and he was happy with that. Eyeing for a better future with Team India Wriddhiman is focusing on consistency. Following are the excerpts:
Nobody from the CAB arrived to receive you when you are returning scoring your first test century
What have I done? I haven’t done anything big yet. Who did not arrive may be they did not think of coming.
What’s your reaction after scoring a ton when the team was in a tough condition
I came down to bat when we were 122 for the loss of 5 wickets. The team was in tension. As a batsman I had the target to set up a partnership. When I reached 40’s I thought of reaching half century. In previous two matches I missed the half century. Then having a support in the partnership I could reach a big score.
You like rotating strike. Was it preplanned in thais match too
In this match West Indies bowled better. They were consistent. They kept same line and length. We took time to score. We just waited for the loose balls. We respected good balls.
How was the celebration after you touched the history
It was nothing as such. Some days ago I was talking to Shami during dinner, which wicket keeper scored a ton in West Indies test lastly. Probably it was Ajay Ratra. Later we had a discussion that may be the century I could do it as we were talking about it.
After this performance do you think you need to come up in batting order
It will be decided by team management. I am thankful to team management as they gave me the chance to play for India.
You got out trying to hit at Adelaide. After that this time Virat praised you. How will you react after the praise from the captain Virat Kohli
Virat always supports me. After the Adelaide test he also praised me. He told if the hit was proper it could be a boundary. The instruction was like this. It was instructed to score fast. Nobody asked to change my style, neither Virat nor Anil vai.
You were at 93 at the lunch. Did you have lunch properly. What did the coach and captain say
Kumble came and said you have to score another seven runs. But my target was to score more. Actually ahead of lunch, I had a slight injury in my hand and I was nursing that.
Captain praised you by saying you are the best achievement. What is your reaction
I told previously, he kept faith on me. In the Sri Lanka series and in South Africa series too. After every match he said you started well. Team got support from you. He never pressurized me to score high.
Former Team director Ravi Shastri commented in various media that In Adelaide if you were little patient, things could have been different. Do you think this was a proper answer
I don’t think in that way. The duty I have on each day is to perform. Whoever is saying what does not matter to me. Appraisal always makes me feel good.
Viv Richards called you silent-killer. What is your say on that
It’s a great inspiration. He said that I am good against the pace bowling.
Former Windies keeper Jeffery Dujon too complemented you. Did you meet him in Trinidad
Yes I met him. I asked him about my keeping skills against the fast bowlers, He said my feat movement and gathering and positioning is good. When I asked him about my skills against spinners Dujon said I have never kept against spinners in my life barring Larry Gomes.
The bat you were using during wicket keeping training what was so special about that
This kind of bat we use in Bengal practice session too. That is of fibre and thicker. This kind of bat gives thicker deflection. Fibre bat has lesser deflection and better edging. Abhay sir (Abhay Sharma) has brought this technique in training and I have been helpful.
What is the chemistry behind Virat Kohli being aggressive skipper and you are not so aggressive in-front of mass
May be they quality of player he likes I have that ability. He may be likes a player who can play always smiling for the team. May be I have that attitude.
Does Virat like a player challenging life for the team
Absolutely. He is like that. He never thinks that we will loose or we will leave that match go. He always think positive. May be I have that quality.
Everybody is talking about your work ethics. What you think about that
I can only do this. Which is good in me I want to develop that only.
Being as wicket keeper how you think about Mohammed Shami comeback
In this series everybody progressed very well in their respective departments. Shami also did very well. He improved very well. Shami has been exceptional throughout the series. Shami had been out since World Cup 2015 which is almost more than a year. The comeback has been terrific for Shami.
After this century the expectation level rose high. Won’t you feel bad if you cannot score after this
I won’t feel bad. Because I don’t think a century is better than a match winner 78. My task is to support and contribute for the team.
Has the kits of your first test century been booked
My father has already book the bat and the t-shirt of the match.(Meanwhile his daughter also shouted from his lap “Father will receive gift”)
Virat praises of your fitness
In this team there is special attention on fitness of players. Everybody is stressing on fitness. The fitness level has been increased from the previous condition. For that reason there is no injury in this series.