Kolkata, Jan 28 (Inditop.com) Composed and confident after receiving the national call-up, Bengal wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has set his eyes on playing a long innings at the top level.
“I will consider it a dream-come-true only when I am in the side for long and perform consistently well,” said the 25-year-old cricketer, whose inclusion in the squad for the first Test against South Africa next month has come as a surprise after his indifferent performance in the current domestic season.
On his part, Saha was not unduly worried about his recent form. “That’s not a factor. In one or two matches you can click, you can flop. I didn’t have that in my mind. I didn’t lose confidence”.
But a slot in the first eleven could be difficult for the stumper, who hails from the northern West Bengal town of Siliguri, because of the presence of skipper M. S. Dhoni, the first choice wicketkeeper.
However, Saha seems unperturbed.
“It is for the team management to decide the first eleven. But I will get to share the dressing room with these cricketers. That of course, will be great,” he told IANS.
But Saha could take heart from his showing in the maiden edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008, when he turned played in 12 matches despite the presence of two international stumpers Brendon McCulum and Tatenda Taibu.
For the moment, he seems happy, receiving congratulations and sweets from fellow Bengal cricketers on having crossed a major hurdle. “We all play to be in the Indian team. Some get their chance earlier, some later,” said Saha, who cracked a hundred in his first class debut match against Hyderabad in the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy season.
Saha said he got the good news while doing training at the indoor gymnasium in the Eden Gardens. “I was doing some knocking, when I was told about my selection.”
Asked who he remembered first after making the cut, Sahe said: “My coach Jayanta Ghoshal who has groomed me into what I am today. Then of course, my parents and friends”.
rounak