Wriddhiman Saha was entrusted the wicket keeping responsibilities for Team India after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket. Since December 2014, the Bengal player has shown his strength of brilliant glove work and scored his maiden century in the recently concluded Test series against West Indies. But the 31-year-old is aware of the need to play such innings on a consistent basis to cement his place in the team.
Replacing Dhoni is never going to be easy, especially the phenomenal way he performed with the bat. Dhoni finished his Test career with 4876 runs from 90 matches, which included six tons.
"As a keeper-batsman, it's my job to contribute with the bat. I just try to do that. Every match and series present a new challenge. My theory is simple; if I don't perform consistently I will be dropped," Saha was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
"So, I won't say that the West Indies tour has helped me cement my place. But this hundred has helped me get into the groove. I will carry forward the confidence," he added.
Saha had made his Test debut in 2010, but failed to show consistency with the bat. Though he got decent starts, he could not convert that into meaningful scores. The Bengal wicketkeeper needs to learn the art of batting with the tail as he primarily comes in at no 6 or 7.
Saha did not go to the tour of West Indies with immense confidence. But his 104 runs in the first innings of the third Test pleased him as it came for a winning cause. Now, it is time to kick on from there, and prove his class at the international level.
"I won't say that the West Indies tour was the turning point of my career, but looking back, I must admit it helped clear some self-doubts. I didn't go there with the apprehension of walking a tightrope. But at the back of my mind I had a feeling that if I don't get a big score, a new player might come in," Saha said.
"It was sort of looking over your shoulder. So, from that point of view, it was a satisfying knock. More so because it contributed to the team's cause," he added.
