Kolkata: Wriddhiman Saha scored a brilliant ton which was his maiden test ton in 14 test matches and 22 test innings is the fourth Bengal cricketer to score a ton in Tests. Wriddhi’s 104 runs off 227 balls innings was compiled of 13 boundaries. Wriddhi did not begin well as he could only manage 1 from his first 33 balls in a difficult wicket to play shots. But his partnership with Saha put India in a good position with 353 runs in the board.
Wriddhiman’s wife Debarati was out of words to describe her husband’s ton. She said, “We have two TVs in our house but frankly speaking I never watch when Wriddhi bats. You may call it as a superstition and I maintain that. There was nothing different today as I was in a different room when Wriddhi was batting and the whole family was praying for his century along with our daughter Anvi. I grade it as the best day of my life keeping aside everything.”
On asking her about her journey with Wriddhi, she said, “We first met each other when Wriddhi was playing for Bengal as a reserve wicket-keeper and it has been a long journey since then. I have seen many ups and downs in life but Wriddhi never lost his confidence.”
Were you a bit worried on Wriddhi’s current form as he was missing on half-centuries and wasting opportunities? Debarati said, “Yes definitely. Although I am not technically strong, but I do understand it took him almost 14 tests to get his first ton and that too he was missing on scoring half-centuries. I could understand that to cement his place in the side he needs to do something big.”
Wriddhiman’s wife was just enjoying the smile on his face after he achieved the milestone and she said, “Wriddhi never looked to think too much about his selection as his job was to make the most of the opportunities and he kept on doing so in the domestic matches.”
Apart from his wife, his personal coach Jayanta Bhowmik, Bengal teammate and captain Manoj Tiwary and former Indian Test wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta had also given their respective reactions on Wriddhi’s ton.
Former India Test wicket-keeper from Bengal who is the third batsman to score a Test ton after Pankaj Roy and Sourav Ganguly said, “I was leading Bengal in the Ranji Trophy when Wriddhi was included in the Bengal squad and from that very day I could see that willpower in him to achieve something big and make a mark. I must say that the duo of Kohli and Kumble will be much more happier than Wriddhi himself as they kept on believing him and trusting him. Kohli will be happy to see that he has kept his trust. It sjust the beginning for Wriddhi and hope he will score more.”
His personal coach Jayanta Bhowmik said, “It was bound to happen someday or the other. When he was playing under my coaching, he was a shear character on the field. Wriddhi was a terrific fielder and we used to call him Jonty Rhodes in Siliguri but I was surprised when he picked up the wicket-keeping gloves. He was a good off-spinner as well. His down to earth attitude will help him a lot in the future and I bless him.”
His teammate and Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary appreciated Wriddhi’s knock and said, “Hope this knock will answer a lot of questions raised by ‘cricket pundits’. Wriddhi is the best wicket-keeper currently in the ranks and there should not be questions raised on his keeping skills. The question mark was on his batting and he showed that too with this knock but he needs to continue. I know him very well since we won the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and I believe he will continue scoring big runs for India. This is an inspirational innings for the junior Bengal cricketers and a historical day as well. His batting has given me a huge confidence too.”