After injury lay-off, Wriddhiman Saha eyes return to Ranji Trophy for Bengal

India’s Test wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha said that he is positive about his chances of making his return to first-class cricket in December, after having a shoulder surgery in July, following which, he was under rehabilitation.

“I am feeling much better now. I hope to be back in action by mid-December. I am preparing and training accordingly. Hope my body recovers in time and I’m fit to play (Ranji Trophy). I’ve started net sessions but I am yet to get match-fit,” Saha said, at the launch of a book titled ‘Wiki’ written by a senior journalist.

Saha has had a forgettable year so far after he sustained an injury to his hamstrings in the first Test against South Africa. He then had a thumb injury while playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Subsequently, he couldn’t participate in India’s Test match against Afghanistan in June.

However, it was only later that it came to be known that it was a posterosuperior labral tear (shoulder injury) which needed him to have surgery.

Rishabh Pant has been selected as the first-choice wicket-keeper batsman for the tour of Australia with Parthiv Patel as his backup option.

Also read: Wriddhiman Saha has been India’s best stumper for past five-ten years, says Sourav Ganguly

Saha, nonetheless has to begin the grind from the domestic level and would hope to claim his spot in the Indian Test team.

“Everyone goes through the same cycle — of performing well at the domestic level. You have to be match-fit there and then wait for selection,” he said.

The Bengal cricketer also added that rehabilitation is a “boring” affair but added that it was always about keeping oneself motivated.

“If you are dedicated, you don’t get bored. The training schedule is same, but it’s about breaking it and keeping yourself motivated,” he added.

Image credit-BCCI