WRIDDHIMAN SAHA ESTABLISHES HIMSELF AS THE CLEAR NO 2 TO MS DHONI

The race for India’s wicket-keeping spot was like a game of musical chairs in the early 2000s as many arrived and disappeared from the scene in quick time. All that changed when a man with long-locks donned the gloves and showed the ability to tear apart bowling attacks
 Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s arrival was met with great enthusiasm as here was a man who could keep wickets and be destructive with the bat as well. His meteoric rise established him himself as India’s first-choice keeper in all formats – ahead of Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel.


With India’s packed schedule and Dhoni playing most of the games, the questions surrounding his back-up always remained, with Karthik as the preferred second choice. Off late, Wriddhiman Saha has clearly nosed ahead. His latest appearance was in the Adelaide Test, which he played following a one-Test ban on Dhoni the captain.


With fears of Dhoni retiring in the not-so-distant future, a strong No 2 ‘keeper is the need of the hour. Dhoni said that he would give up “one format” in 2013 if he has to play in the next World Cup. It isn’t an express indication that he would quit Test cricket, but is nevertheless implied. Dhoni’s record and success in the limited-overs arena is far superior compared to that in the classical format and it is unlikely he would forsake them. Test cricket would be the most convenient sacrificial option with an eye on the 2015 World Cup.  


On his unexpected Test debut two years ago, Saha had to play as a specialist batsman - which didn’t give him the opportunity to showcase his real role at the highest level. At Adelaide, he literally grabbed the chance with both hands and impressed everybody with his efforts behind the wickets. He looked balanced, collecting most deliveries in the classical manner at the waist. In contrast, Dhoni has been guilty of standing too far behind, which has often resulted him taking the ball on the first bounce and even losing the opportunity to convert some into catches.


As a batsman, Saha showed steely resolve in the Test, sticking it out in the middle and rebuilding India’s innings in the first essay. His head looked nice and still as he played most deliveries with the straight bat. Even on his Test debut against South Africa, he had shown similar abilities – although it largely went unnoticed. In First-Class cricket, Saha maintains a healthy average and has been consistent almost every season since his debut in 2007-08.


The only player who might challenge Saha’s position is Dinesh Karthik, the Tamil Nadu stumper. Parthiv Patel doesn’t seem to be in the race as far as far as the Test squad is concerned. Despite a good performance in the domestic season, Karthik wasn’t picked for the India A side for the Caribbean and Saha made the cut. 


WV Raman, who has watched both Saha and Karthik from close quarters as current and past coach of Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively,told CricketCountry, “I am under the impression that Saha is rated as a far superior keeper and hence he was chosen for West Indies. In the last couple of years, the selectors have reposed their faith in Saha after giving Karthik a long run.”


Ironically, Dhoni replaced Karthik in Test cricket in the year 2005. Although Karthik got a longish run in the side as a batsman, he always remained on the sidelines as a back-up to Dhoni.