Wriddhiman Saha finally managed to score a half-century after a long-running drought of 14 innings in the Test format spanning over four years. Saha managed a crucial half-century despite suffering from a stiff neck which prevented him from keeping the wickets on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test at Green Park, Kanpur.
There were questions over Saha’s selection as his best score in last 14 innings was 29. There were three instances where he remained not out including two single-digit scores. The last time the Shaktigarh-born batter scored a half-century (67) was in August 2017 against Sri Lanka.
The 37-year-old walked in to bat at no.8 as Ravichandran Ashwin batted ahead of him when India lost four early wickets in the first session on Day 4. Saha came to the crease in the second session with debutant Shreyas Iyer on the other end. He shared a 44-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Iyer before tea break.
Saha then stitched a partnership with Axar Patel to get India’s lead past 250 as New Zealand spinners failed to wrap up India’s second innings with the old ball. During the drinks break in the third session, he received some on-field treatment from the physio and carried on his innings. This was also his third Test half-century against New Zealand.
The Bengal wicketkeeper remained unbeaten for 61 as India declared the innings with few overs to go in the last session. It is also his best score against New Zealand in Test cricket surpassing his previous best of 58 in 2016.
