Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik lauded Wriddhiman Saha for his vital half-century despite a stiff neck against New Zealand in the ongoing first Test in Kanpur.
Wriddhiman Saha was the hero for India on the Day 4 of the first Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur. The wicket-keeper batter didn’t keep wickets in the first innings as he had a stiff neck and it was expected that he won’t bat in the second innings.
In the second innings when hosts were tumbling at 103/6 and were looking to set a respectable target, Wriddhiman Saha came to bat with a stiff neck and made unbeaten 61 runs to help his side post a total of 234 runs in the second innings.
It was quite evident that Saha was in pain as he batted with a different stance and even required the physio’s attention during his knock. The wicketkeeper batter showed immense grit for his 61* and drew rich praises from the cricket fraternity for his heroics.
While taking to Cricbuzz, Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik said that he was impressed with the way Wriddhiman Saha performed under pressure as Srikar Bharat was lauded for his clean work behind the stumps.
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“What I like about him is that he was again having his back against the wall in this Test. This could have easily been one of his last Test innings because there would have been a lot of pressure to bring Srikar Bharat for the next Test," Dinesh Karthik said.
Karthik mentioned that Wriddhiman Saha has a ‘bit of dogfight’ in him as he fought his way through the stiff neck and it’s good to see old legs fighting and showing people how it can be done.
“But again I was just happy to see Wriddhiman Saha bat because he’s a solid batter, he’s really good, he’s got a bit of dogfight in him, you know, he fought his way through a stiff neck, changed his stance up, batted differently to what he’s used to but delivered. It’s good to see somebody with old legs coming and pushing people and showing how it can be done," he said.
Dinesh Karthik further revealed that he calls Wriddhiman Saha a ‘street fighter’ as he’s the guy who does the job when the conditions are really tough.
“I called him a street fighter, I hope that’s not too derogatory to him, on the commentary today. To me, he’s that sort of guy when the conditions are really, really tough he’s the fighter, the bloke who comes in and does the job when they are down and need him," he said.
Notably, Wriddhiman Saha kept wickets for only two overs in the second innings and went back to the dressing room with a stiff neck.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
