Wriddhiman Saha: The keeper-batsman's top 4 knocks in domestic cricket

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha celebrates his 35th birthday on Thursday. He has been a specialist keeper in India's Test side after MS Dhoni's retirement. He was called up to the national side in February 2010 for the first time when he was surprisingly picked as the reserve wicket-keeper for the home series against South Africa.

Impressing with his quick reflexes and acrobatic wicket-keeping skills, Saha has now become a mainstay in the Indian Test side as long as he is not injured. Let us have a look at his top four innings in domestic cricket, in which he contributed immensely for many teams such as his state side, Bengal.

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Bengal vs Hyderabad, Ranji Trophy Super League match, Kolkata, Nov 4-7 2007

Having won the toss, Bengal elected to bat first. The match marked Saha's debut in domestic cricket. Bengal's score was 221/5 when Saha walked out in the middle. Along with his captain Manoj Tiwary, they put up a 177-run partnership and led Bengal to a big total of 461. Saha matched legend Sachin Tendulkar when it comes to scoring a century on his Ranji Trophy debut as he ended up with an unbeaten 111. The match ended in a draw but Saha's wonderful knock ensured Bengal scored crucial points.

Rest of India vs Gujarat, Irani Cup Final, Mumbai, Jan 20-24 2017

Saha was coming back after an injury and he made a stunning return to slam his maiden double hundred which helped Rest of India lift the Irani Cup against Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat. Chasing 379 for victory, RoI were in trouble at 63/4 before Saha (203 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (116 not out) added 316 for the fifth wicket to script a six-wicket victory. This was an innings of grit and patience.

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Bengal vs Arunachal Pradesh, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at Cuttack, Feb 27 2019

Saha had opened the innings for Bengal after a string of low scores 2, 3, 6 and 11 in the previous four games. He was coming after a nine-month lay-off after a shoulder surgery.  He scored a blistering 62-ball-129 as Bengal beat Arunachal Pradesh by 107 runs. The wicket-keeper got his highest score in T20 cricket, hitting 16 boundaries and four sixes, helping Bengal post a mammoth 234 for 6. Bengal won this match comfortably as well.

Mohun Bagan vs BNR Recreation Club, JC Mukherjee Trophy at Kalighat, March 24 2018

After restricting their opposition to just 151/7 in 20 overs, Mohun Bagan's innings was off to a flier as openers Saha and skipper Subhomoy Das sent the bowlers on a leather hunt right from the first ball of their innings. Saha smashed the bowlers to every part of the ground and notched up his century off just 20 balls at a strike-rate of 510 with the help of four fours and 14 sixes! Saha became the fastest Indian to reach the three-figure mark in an official game.

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