Pujara double, Saha ton put India in command

done.

Australia, with their strong batting line-up, would be hoping that they can bat out for a draw on the final day before going for the jugular in Dharamsala.

But a fifth day pitch is likely to ask a few tough questions as they still need 129 runs to avoid an innings defeat. — PTI Ranchi, March 19: Wriddhiman Saha on Sunday rated his 117-run knock against Australia as his “best” Test knock so far and said the support he is getting from his teammates has had a positive influence on his batting.

Saha played a key role along with Cheteshwar Pujara (202) to hand India a first innings lead of 152.

“This is the best among the three I have. We badly needed partnership. My partnership began slowly. One of the best,” Saha said at the press conference.

“Pujara always backed me to play my shots. Told me to be positive. I had the same approach here. I played in positive sense, so it came out well. Wicketkeeper batsman added. He told me to break it up and think of small, small partnerships of 10-20 runs each. I just backed my strength and showed respect to good balls.”

Saha further said the support he got from his teammates, has given him a lot of confidence.

“I didn’t really change the way I batted. I’m backing myself more now. When I’m playing sweep shots or stepping out, I used to have doubts early in my career. Now the team is supporting me. It’s have a good effect on me.”

Saha said his 316-run unconquered stand with Pujara in the Irani Trophy final inspired the two of them to bat well. They had rattled up that stand in the second innings, which eventually shaped Rest Of India’s six-wicket win for over Gujarat.

“The way Pujara was batting it never seemed we would lose a wicket. We did well in Irani Trophy. It was playing in our mind. We knew that we could do well if we back ourselves. We just tried to do that and looked for loose balls and run well between wickets,” Saha said.

“Puji has so much patience. He scores 200300 in domestic cricket almost routinely. He is always on the top of his game.,” said Saha.

— PTI