Broke into the Test arena after the retirement of mercurial MS Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha has emerged as India's first-choice wicketkeeper when it comes to cricket's most traditional format. The retirement of Dhoni from Test cricket after the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne in 2014 opened the gates for the Siliguri-born who had long been considered as the understudy of the former. In his short international career, Saha has not only impressed the commoners but also the critics with his quick reflexes and acrobatic wicket-keeping skills. It is true that he has established himself more as a keeper than as a batsman in Team India. For many, his athleticism behind the stumps against fast-bowlers has not been seen in an Indian keeper in living memory. With limited batting abilities, the 33-year old batsman has learned to play within his boundaries and has achieved success on that front. In the cash-rich Indian Premier League, Saha was signed by Chennai Super Kings prior to the 2011 season after being a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders side in the first three editions. But, the diminutive keeper found his calling with Kings XI Punjab when he bludgeoned his way to a hundred in the final of the 2014 edition, and proved his worth with the blade in the shortest format. In this year's player auction, Saha was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 5 crores.
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If the Bengal keeper fails to recover in time for the one-off historic Test, Dinesh Karthik or Parthiv Patel might get a look in.
Kolkata Knight Riders may be overwhelming favourites to seal a final berth but Saha said the Sunrisers Hyderabad are ready for the challenge in the Qualifier 2 at the Eden Gardens.
Wriddhiman Saha believes that even copybook shots can fetch him runs and there is no need to play unconventional shots.
Saha has earlier opened the batting for Kings XI Punjab and even scored a hundred in a losing cause during the 2013 IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batsman, Saha praised team-mate Khan after his side's facile five-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.
According to reports, Warner might be banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia, which is currently investigating the ball-tampering issue that has plunged the game into crisis.
While being dubbed as a Test specialist, Wriddhiman does have an IPL hundred -- during the 2014 edition in Bengaluru for the Kings XI Punjab.
Sunrisers will face Rajasthan Royals at home two days later to begin their campaign in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League.
The highly-rated Bengal stumper did his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru after getting injured during India's tour of South Africa, he was seen playing for his office outfit on Tuesday.
Wriddhiman Saha was replaced by Parthiv Patel in the ongoing second Test at Centurion after he picked up the injury, which was initially described as a niggle.
According to reports, Kohli has decided to exclude wicketkeeper Saha from the playing XI that played in Cape Town.
The 33-year-old wicketkeeper surpassed former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had claimed nine dismissals in a Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2014.
Indian Cricket Team shared some of the pictures from the practice session ahead of the first Test, be held in Cape Town from January 5 to 9.
With 10 days to go before India departs for South Africa for the Test series, Wriddhiman is expecting to recover well in time for the series.
The duo are part of the India Test squad for South Africa tour but the Board has allowed them to represent their state team for the upcoming Ranji semifinal.
Saha said that these bowlers are more unpredictable than pacers Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Rating Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of others, Saha said the off-spinner posed a big challenge to keep behind the stumps with many variations.
Raman occupied the crease for nearly six hours to help Bengal recover from a jittery 44 for 2 after they were put into bat.
Saha has so far played 28 Tests for India but has not featured in many One Day Internationals (ODI) with Mahendra Singh Dhoni still going strong at 36.
Wriddhiman Saha said current coach Anil Kumble always motivates the players to go for the kill against the opposition.
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