India head coach Anil Kumble has heaped praise on comeback man Parthiv Patel for his brilliant performance in the third Test at Mohali. The wicket-keeper-batsman was recalled to the Test team after eight long years to replace the injured Wriddhiman Saha and he totally justified the team management’s decision.

The southpaw showed little nerves as he scored 42 in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 67 off only 54 deliveries to anchor India’s 103-run chase.

Praising the 31-year-old, Kumble said:“Parthiv came in after eight years and did not really show nerves you would expect, although he is a seasoned campaigner. He was asked to open he did that brilliantly and also kept wickets very well. He was not worried about failing.”

KL Rahul, who played the Vizag Test, was ruled out of the third match after suffering a forearm injury and Parthiv was asked to open the innings.

“I was really pleased that he could walk into that match and not just keep wickets and bat at six or seven. When you are making a comeback after eight years you always want to do well for yourself and here is Parthiv who was willing to put his hands up when asked to open. That shows his character. I am pleased with that,” Kumble added.

The former leg-spinner, who shared the dressing room with Parthiv, also had a word of praise for Gujarat wicket-keeper’s unflappable character.

“Even when he came into the team first as 17 or 16 year old, he still looks 16 if he shaves his beard off, he showed lot of maturity first time he saved a Test match for India. It certainly shows if you are putting hard yards in domestic cricket, never losing your faith and believing that you can make a comeback, it’s possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parthiv will get another chance to consolidate his claim in the Test team. He is set to play the fourth Test in Mumbai as Saha has still not recovered from his thigh injury.