While Indian captain Virat Kohli left Bangladesh panic-stricken through his fluent double century, Wriddhiman Saha sliced the visitors’ bowling in extraordinary fashion to ensure India would bury Bangladesh under mountain of runs.
Saha brought up his second Test century with a straight six that landed on the sightscreen and remained not out on 106 before Kohli declared the innings. But he could have gone on 4 had Mushfiqur Rahim not missed the stumping chance despite getting three times to take the bails off. Mushfiqur’s unsteadiness behind the wicket was the picture of whole Bangladesh’s wayward fielding indeed. Saha survived again when on 47 as Mominul Haque failed to inflict a run-out on him.
However Saha, a Bengal player, hailed from Shiliguri, termed him lucky to get his second century.
“I would term it luck as he tried but couldn’t hit the stump. When he got it right second time, I was inside the crease. So possibly, I was destined to get a hundred and that’s why he couldn’t effect that stumping.”
Saha came back from the injury and regained his position despite his replacement Parthiv Patel did well during the series against England. But Saha’s double hundred in domestic Irani Trophy convinced Kohli to take him ahead of Parthiv.
Despite getting his highest Test total in this match, Saha said, his twin half-century against New Zealand is more valuable to him.
“I value the two half centuries against New Zealand more because team needed my contribution. We needed partnerships and quality of bowling was good. We needed to set a target of 300 and taking all these into account, those two 50’s were vital.”
Saha said batting coach Sanjay Bangar inspired him to go for a century in the post tea session and gave him some suggestion.
Saha is the known face in Bangladesh too as he played his first competitive cricket in abroad in Bangladesh when he was in aged level team. He also has the good rapport with Bangladeshi players but he said he had not much talk with them during the Test.
“I didn’t have any word with Mushfiqur Rahim but he said: “Well played Saha” after my hundred.”