Aha! What A Wait It Was For The Wicketkeeping Bus!
Sportstar|November 18, 2017

His skipper, Virat Kohli, says he is THE BEST RIGHT NOW; Wriddhiman Saha — the India Test wicketkeeper — shares insights into his life.

Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya.
Aha! What A Wait It Was For The Wicketkeeping Bus!

Spring, a crazy ball, a su­perman in whites, a player straight out of Cricket 2007 — the Electronic Arts ­designed popular PC game back in the day; you run out of brushes to colour the phe­nomenon Wriddhiman Saha is. The India wicket keeper, in the longer format, times his jumps so abruptly that it seems somebody controls him via a keyboard.

The word ‘wait’ dominated his career. When he was ready for Bengal, it had Deep Dasgupta. Being a contemporary of Ma­hendra Singh Dhoni kept him out of India contention for many years. He didn’t mind filling in when Captain Cool nursed an injury or took breaks. But Saha has been the regular ’keeper since Dhoni’s retirement (from Tests) in 2014. His attendance in club games and commitment to his state team — when India plays limited­ over games — confirms his diligence.

While Virat Kohli and army prepared for the second ODI against New Zealand in Pune, Saha quietly celebrated his 33rd birthday (on October 24) with his family; exactly a week after Bengal had thumped Chhattis­garh by an innings and 160 runs. “Happy Birthday, Wriddhiman. When can I have a short chat with you ? Do I call around 11 a.m. (considering it was the day after his birthday),” this reporter sent him a message on WhatsApp. “Thank you, shokale katha boli around 8:15 a.m? (let’s talk in the morning),” he replied. A dedic­ated athlete hardly sleeps.

Excerpts from the interview:

Question: How did you spend your birthday?

Answer: It was like any other normal day. But I got to spend time with friends and family as there was no Ranji Trophy match this week.

Denne historien er fra November 18, 2017-utgaven av Sportstar.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 18, 2017-utgaven av Sportstar.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SPORTSTARSe alt
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Sportstar

Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears

Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.

time-read
1 min  |
March 21, 2020
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
Sportstar

Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT

What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 8, 2020
The making of a batting behemoth
Sportstar

The making of a batting behemoth

If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 8, 2020
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
Sportstar

WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...

It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 8, 2020
A question of recognition
Sportstar

A question of recognition

After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 8, 2020
Thinking straight, thinking right!
Sportstar

Thinking straight, thinking right!

“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 14, 2019
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Sportstar

The Big Three and the Next Gen

Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 14, 2019
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sportstar

WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH

Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 14, 2019
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Sportstar

Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room

Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 14, 2019
The league of the masses
Sportstar

The league of the masses

With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 14, 2019