There is a saying that goes,”It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop,” and the proverb has been proven absolutely right by Parthiv Patel. The Gujarat wicket-keeper was a surprise inclusion in India’s Test team for the third match against England but his brilliant performance has shut the mouth of every doubter with a comeback that was nothing short of a fairytale.
It is quite safe to say that the wicketkeeper-batsman, who last donned the Indian jersey way back in 2008, was not even in the frame for getting a call from the national team. With the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant doing really well in the domestic circuit, it was very much expected that either of the two would replace the injured Wriddhiman Saha. However, the team management sprung a huge surprise when they called Patel to replace Saha. But the 31-year old made sure to repay the team management’s faith with some fine batting display.
After missing his half-century by eight runs in the first innings, the left-handed batsmen played a match-winning knock of 67 runs in the second innings. While a target of 103 was always going to be an easy one for the world No. 1 team, they lost Murali Vijay cheaply and another wicket would have made the chase trickier. But Parthiv launched an amazing counter-attack to kick England out of the match. His innings of 67 runs came off only 54 balls and was studded with 11 fours and one maximum.
As expected, he was delighted with such an amazing comeback and he was more than happy to cap off the fine performance by hitting the winning runs.
“It was a great moment for me. I have been a part of Test matches before but I had never ever hit the winning runs,” Patel said.
“As a batsman, it feels great to finish off the game. To get the winning runs after making a comeback is a proud moment for me. Virat was at the other end and he said he was very happy to see me getting runs. Playing for your country is the biggest honour and making a comeback is even harder. He along with other teammates made me comfortable as and it was pleasing to get runs for the team,” he added.
A consistent performer in the domestic circuit, he said the vast experience helped him to calm down his nerves.
“Having played domestic cricket for long, I know my game well. I was always backing myself to get runs. I was in very good form in first-class cricket and I wanted to make this opportunity count. I wanted to continue that form into this Test match. It is the kind of energy you need to take while you are batting. The most important part is to get runs in the game and if you are getting them, you release a lot of pressure off yourself and from the partner who is batting with you at the other end,” said the wicketkeeper.
“I played well in the first innings as well but it was necessary to show intent in the second innings, especially when you are chasing a low score. I am glad I could get a fifty in the second innings and stay there till the end for the team,” he added.
He also credited the Indian dressing room for helping him to settle down quickly.
“It was because of the kind of welcome and vibes I got in the dressing room, which was really important. Coming after eight years and wearing India whites, you are a bit nervous before the start of the Test match or while you are preparing for that moment to play for India. The guys welcomed me and it never felt like I was coming back to the dressing room after a huge gap,” he concluded.