The Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) named Ishan Kishan as the replacement for the injured KL Rahul. Notably, KL Rahul sustained a leg injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 game between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Wriddhiman Saha, who was in imperious form for Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2023 was overlooked. Notably, after India vs South Africa series that took place in South Africa, Wriddhiman Saha was dropped.
He revealed in a chat later that Head Coach Rahul Dravid revealed that he wasn’t in the scheme of things for India in the near future.
In this article, we take a look at 3 reasons why Wriddhiman Saha could have been a better option as a replacement player:
1. Wriddhiman Saha is technically very sound
Very few people would disagree when we say that Wriddhiman Saha is a technically sound wicketkeeper. He is one of India’s best wicket-keepers and his acrobatic catches and saves have often left people in awe.
Be it the turning tracks in India or the swing-friendly conditions abroad, Saha has always impressed everyone watching Test cricket.
2. Plenty of experience
As the World Test Championship (WTC) final is a one-off Test match, India can’t have any room for errors. The best XI has to play and the Indian team can’t afford to experiment with their players.
This is where the rich experience of Wriddhiman Saha could have come in handy. Saha is 38 years of age and after MS Dhoni, he was India’s first-choice wicket-keeper. He has played 40 Test matches for India and made his debut way back in 2010.
He chips in quality advices behind the stumps and he has an astute cricketing brain.
3. Saha is in terrific form
In the ongoing IPL 2023, Wriddhiman Saha is firing on all cylinders. Alongside Shubman Gill, Saha is providing solid starts to Gujarat Titans (GT) and he is middling most all the deliveries he is facing.
In the game versus Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 51 of IPL 2023, Wriddhiman Saha blasted his way to a fiery knock of 81 runs in just 43 balls. He went all guns blazing and smeared the LSG bowlers all across the park.
He is the 3rd highest run-getter for Gujarat and has so far amassed 273 runs in 11 games for the defending champions.
Also read: WTC 2023: 3 Reasons Why India Might Win The Upcoming WTC Final Against Australia
