Hope my understanding with Ashwin helps India: Saha
Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha hopes that his understanding with off-spinner Ravinchandra Ashwin is a massive factor for the Indian team which is all set to host the New Zealand in a Test series later this month.
"Ashwin has been playing for a longer time than me. But yes, in the last three to four series that I have been consistently part of, our understanding has improved. I hope that will help the team's cause," Saha said.
The Bengal boy scored his maiden ton in Tests when he dug out a patient 104 against the West Indies at St. Lucia's Gross Islet. He was also involved in a 213-run sixth wicket stand with spinner R Ashwin (118), and thus helped the team recover from an insecure position to an exceptional 237-run win last month.
"I tell him which line to bowl at times, which position is better and the length to bowl to a particular batsman. In the batting department, I can talk about that innings where he told me to wait for the loose ball and take my time. We were doing that. My understanding with Ashwin while keeping to him has helped better our running between the wickets," Saha explained.
He further picked Ashwin as the toughest bowler in the team.
"On turning tracks, he gets sharp turn and bounce since he is tall. Jadeja is not always a huge turner of the ball, and Amit is slow with not as much bounce. So, yes, Ashwin is the toughest."
Saha's maiden Test century came in his 23rd innings. His first two fifties came last year in Sri Lanka, before which his career looked uncertain.
"I do concentrate on my batting though I haven't had many big scores. I like to contribute to the team's cause and the hundred against West Indies surely boosted my morale. I know batting is important, but first I consider myself as a wicketkeeper as I am in the team because of that”, he further said,
Saha also feels that although India have the home advantage over the Kiwis in the upcoming series, the battle will not be easy.
"We need also to play well on turning pitches. They will probably play two spinners and one all-rounder that could add up to three spinners. We will hold the advantage as the hosts. They will need to acclimatise,” Saha concluded.