Wicket-Keeping Dilemma: Who Is Better – Pathiv Patel or Wriddhiman Saha?
Dec 16, 2016 at 3:46 PM
Parthiv Patel made an astonishing comeback in the Indian Test side after 8 long years which was well taken by the 31-year-old. The little man has waited a long time for his comeback but his burning desire to get back into India’s national side kept him going.
While injuries have become stereotyped in the Indian team these days Wriddhiman Saha picked up an injury ahead of the third Test which prompted the Indian selectors to get Patel back into the team.
The kind of form and consistency Saha has displayed since taking over the wicketkeeping role from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it would have been hard for any other man to take his place if he was not injured.
But it looks like Parthiv was destined to get back in the team following Saha’s injury and the left-handed did it in style. The Mumbai Indians player could definitely be a suitable replacement for the Bengal wicketkeeper as he has tons of experience and has been playing the game from way before Saha.
Parthiv made Test debut way back in 2002 when most of the current players were not even on the scene. Therefore his experience against a top quality side like England would do a lot of good to the Indian team.
He is also a handy batsman who can score runs at ease. After his ouster from the national side, the wicket-keeper has always kept himself among runs in first-class cricket which might have provoked the Indian selectors to think of Patel ahead of the other wicket keeping options.
The Gujarati is a hard worker who has strengthened his game a lot to evolve as a dependable batsman. His first class career portrays his ability with the bat as he nears 10,000 runs which is quite an achievement.
Parthiv who his very enthusiastic behind the stumps can take the opposition batting by surprise. He also has a notable amount of experience working under two of the most decorated players of India Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble which he can implement under Virat Kohli.
Looking at how Parthiv fared in the third Test, one can easily say that he held his nerve quite well. Coming back after 8 years and batting with such tenacity and sureness is not simple. But the veteran showed what he is made of and announced his comeback in the toughest format of the game in a spirited manner. Also, Parthiv is a batsman who scores runs at a pace which can change the game very quickly. Comparing the Gujarat wicket-keeper to the Bengal one, Parthiv is more capable with the bat because and his aggressive stroke making the ability to counter bowling attacks who are on top.
Another important point which needs to be taken into account is Parthiv’s ability to bat anywhere in the batting order. This adds more flexibility to a batting order which is already filled with gems. In the third Test, Parthiv displayed a show of his fitness which many thought was irrecoverable after so many years.
He is still 31 and one year younger when compared to Wriddhiman Saha. So he could be a replacement for Saha and we all hope that he continues to be as jaunty as he is right now, throughout his career.