IPL 2023: Was trying to carry the same momentum from the last match, says Wriddhiman Saha

Cricket Image for IPL 2023: Was trying to carry the same momentum from the last match, says Wriddhim (Image Source: Google)

Gujarat Titans’ wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha continued to shine in his role of playing attacking shots in power-play by scoring 81 off 43 balls while sharing a 142-run opening partnership in 12.1 overs with Shubman Gill and setting the base for a 56-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.

In a post-game chat with wicketkeeper KS Bharat in a video posted by IPL, Saha insisted he was carrying forward the momentum from Gujarat’s previous game. "My preparation has been almost the same from the first match. You know it as well; we train and bat together always. I had scored 40 in the last match, so I was trying to carry the same momentum from the last match."

Saha immediately put pressure on Lucknow by smashing a returning Mohsin Khan for a couple of boundaries, followed by taking Avesh Khan to the cleaners. With a flurry of pulls and hooks, Saha got his fifty in just 20 balls in the sixth over.

"The plus point is that I take my chances during the powerplay and if it hits then it pays off. My strength is to play cricketing shots and I back myself to pick the gaps. Since that is my strength, I try to stick with it," he added.

After Saha fell, Gill took over to remain unbeaten on 94 off 51 balls, as Gujarat posted 227/2. "We have not seen Rashid's snake shot this season so far. That shows that the middle order is contributing well and the top order has also started doing it slowly."

"Shubman was doing it before and now I have joined as well. So, as a whole unit, we are progressing well as a team and that is why we are at the top of the table," added Saha.

After the innings break, Bharat came out as a substitute wicketkeeper, as Saha was doing dry needling. But the umpires didn’t allow him to carry on. Saha had to rush out and, in a hurry, wore his trousers the other way around.

"I told the umpires that you (Saha) are having the needling session, but they didn’t allow me to keep," chuckled Bharat.

To this, Saha replied, "I was eating, then the Physio told me to take medicine. Meanwhile, the needling session was also on. In a rush, I wore the trousers the other way around down. But after two overs, I returned, and you did a wonderful job."

Now on top of the points table with 16 points, Gujarat’s next match in IPL 2023 will be against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday.