Saha focusses on runs, not promotion in batting order
NAGPUR: India’s batting wobble against Sri Lanka pacers on a lively Eden Gardens pitch in the first Test has left them with work to do in the second match starting here on Friday.
The management sought a green top in Kolkata to prepare for the South Africa tour starting in January, but the hosts folded for 172 in the first innings. Although Virat Kohli’s century set up a thrilling finish before Sri Lanka, reduced to 75/7, escaped with a draw, India’s focus will be on batting better in seaming conditions.
As of Wednesday, the Nagpur wicket did have a grass cover but it won’t be as seam-friendly as Eden. The wicket here is expected to have something for pacers on the first two days and then will assist spinners.
Keeper Wriddhiman Saha said it was important for the lower order batsmen to deliver. But Saha, who mostly bats at No 5 for Bengal, wasn’t bothered whether he or R Ashwin came in at No 6, a slot usually taken by the best allrounder.
LOWER ORDER NEEDS TO CHIP IN
“We need to take 20 wickets to win a Test. Everyone has to contribute, for example the lower order, I or Ashwin or (Ravindra) Jadeja. Also the batsmen have to contribute, and then come the bowlers. To take 20 wickets, bowlers need more options and everyone has to contribute with the bat,” he said.
India rotated the trio in the 6-8 slots in Kolkata. But the team management would not have got the feedback as to who would stand the test of batting at No 6 abroad. Ashwin fell for four at No 6 and seven at No 7. Saha made 29 at No 7 and five at No 8. Jadeja scored 22 at No 8 and nine at No 6 at Eden Gardens in the first Test.
We need to take 20 wickets to win a Test. To take 20 wickets, bowlers need more options and everyone has to contribute with the bat. WRIDDHIMAN SAHA, India ’keeper
CONDITIONS DICTATE BATTING SLOT
“The management decides (the batting slot). Not that every match I have batted at No 7. Sometimes I have gone in at No 6 and Ashwin has batted after me. We keep rotating,” Saha said. “It depends on the opposition, even Jadeja has batted at No 6. Between the three of us, we keep rotating. The team management decides what conditions favour which player, and we are ready for 6, 7 and 8,” Saha, who has a Test ton batting at all three slots, said.
Nagpur usually helps spin- ners, but Saha said whatever the conditions, India will look to put early pressure on Sri Lanka.
“I’ve not seen the pitch, it was covered. Pace-friendly or spinfriendly, we will try to take breakthroughs initially if they bat first and take the match deep and try to win… Whatever the pitch, we will go with the flow.
DON’T WANT TO LOSE FOCUS
“Previous Test results will be at the back of our minds, but we will stay in the present. What happened two years ago or a year ago, it (conditions) need not necessarily be the same.
“Of course, at the back of the mind, we will think of South Africa and away tours. (But) first, we will look to win and take the confidence into the next match. We will go one match at a time.”