In a very interesting move, Indian selectors picked Parthiv Patel’s as Wriddhiman Saha’s replacement in the third Test of the ongoing series between India and England. Parthiv, who hasn’t played Test cricket for India in a very long time, has been a prolific run-scorer at the domestic level and finally his hardwork and patience has been rewarded.
Parthiv played a clutch of 19 Tests between 2002 and 2004 and then a solitary one four years later in 2008. Now, after 8 years, Parthiv Patel has been given one more oppurtinty to show his talent and prove his worth.
India’s head coach Anil Kumble, who was once Parthiv’s teammate, said that Parthiv Patel has been chosen over youngster because for his better wicketkeeping skills. This is what Anil Kumble said:
“Parthiv has been really consistent both with his keeping as well as his batting. That’s why Parthiv was chosen. Rishabh has certainly shown the exuberance a young cricketer can bring in.
“He has shown a lot of batting skills. He has obviously got a lot of runs in domestic cricket. But Parthiv was chosen for his keeping skills and his experience,” Kumble said on Thursday, giving a peek into his thought process on Patel’s selection.
“I think it’s unfortunate that Saha is missing out in this Test match. He suffered a strain on the final day of the Test match. We wanted him to play. He was obviously in the starting the line-up but yesterday’s scans showed there was a little bit of tendonitis. That’s why it was better that we gave him a break from this Test match,” Anil Kumble said.
