Wriddhiman Saha Slams Superb 200 In Irani Cup, Stakes A Claim To Return To Team India
Saha's unbeaten 203 helped Rest of India chased down 379 against Gujarat in Irani Cup.
Wriddhiman Saha has pushed his case for selection in India's Test playing XI with a rollicking 203 not out that took Rest of India upstage Ranji Trophy winners Gujarat in the Irani Cup match today.
Chasing a target of 379, Rest of India rode Saha's maiden double hundred in First Class cricket and captain Cheteshwar Pujara's 116 not out as the match ended in the first session of play on the final day at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium.
Reuters
Saha shared an unbeaten 316-run partnership with Pujara and dominated the proceedings since yesterday. In order to make a stronger case for himself in the Test XI, Saha batted with freedom and attacked every opportunity to put the loose ball away.
Congrats! Rest of India on winning Irani Cup, 2017 @cheteshwar1 @Wriddhipops @Paytm pic.twitter.com/tUZjCjobSW
¡ª BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 24, 2017
Saha's regular spot in the Test team was taken by Parthiv Patel when the Bengal cricketer, considered the best wicket-keeper in the country currently, got injured. Parthiv then impressed the team management with his determination and willingness to open the batting when regular opener KL Rahul got injured. On his return to the Test squad after 8 years, he scored 42 and 67* in Mohali and a rearguard 71 in the final Test against England in Chennai, only to follow that up with a 90 and 143 in the Ranji Trophy final taking Gujarat to their maiden elusive title.
At that moment, it was clear that Parthiv's selection in the Indian Test team for the one-off game against Bangladesh was automatic. But not now!!
Prakash Parsekar
Saha's scintillating 203 off 272 balls that contained 26 fours and 6 sixes has ensured that he definitely is in prime form to take up that spot. Parthiv, too was the centre of attention before the start of the game, could manage 11 and 32 in the Irani Cup game for Gujarat. Saha, meanwhile, lifted himself from a duck in the first innings to a stupendous double ton that was first by a wicket-keeper batsman in the history of Irani Cup.
Post the match-winning knocks by Saha and Pujara, twitter couldn't help but praise the two.
On return from injury, a first double-century for @Wriddhipops. Timely. #IraniCup
¡ª Jamie Alter (@jamie_alterTOI) January 24, 2017
Wow what a wonderful innings from Wriddhiman Saha. Great win for Rest of India. Well done @cheteshwar1 and @Wriddhipops .#IraniTrophy
¡ª Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 24, 2017
Wriddhiman Saha:
¡ª Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) January 24, 2017
- First batsman to score double-century in 4th inns in Irani.
- First wicketkeeper to score double-century in Irani.
More proof that no target is safe. @cheteshwar1 and @Wriddhipops take Rest of India home. Ready for the test matches!
¡ª Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 24, 2017
Wriddhiman Saha. Remember the name.#IraniCup
¡ª Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) January 24, 2017
Take a bow Wriddhiman Saha! A spectacular double ton & what timing! Has put the Parthiv-Saha debate to rest. Wow keep going #Saha #IraniCup
¡ª Gaurav Mishra (@Gaurav_5599) January 24, 2017
By scoring a double century in the Irani Trophy match,Wriddhiman Saha has shut doors on Parthiv Patel's test match selection @cricketwallah
¡ª ????? ???????? (@ishrakul) January 24, 2017
Have you seen the innings of Wriddhiman Saha in Irani Cup.?? 203 Not Out.300+ runs partnership between Saha & Pujara..!! Wow?? @DeepDasgupta7
¡ª Debajyoti Ghosh (@Debajyo72148220) January 24, 2017
Wriddhiman Saha @Wriddhipops becomes first wicket-keeper to score a double century in Irani Cup. Way to, what a comeback!! #IraniCup
¡ª Ritabrata Banerjee (@ritabrata20) January 24, 2017
Well played Wriddhiman Saha after lbw for 0 in 1st inning then sloppy fielding in 2nd inning, never easy for any WK to Score Double #ROIvGUJ
¡ª Anirudha Das ?? (@TheAnirudhaDas) January 24, 2017
