Wriddhiman Saha’s groin injury is “not serious” but his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad is expected to adopt a cautious approach after consultation with the BCCI’s medical team as the senior wicketkeeper-batsman is Australia-bound after the tournament.
Saha had picked up the niggle during his match-winning knock of 87 off 45 balls against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday and didn’t keep wickets with substitute Shreevats Goswami replacing him. “Unfortunately, he’s got a little groin niggle but hopefully it isn’t too bad,” SRH skipper Warner said.
A senior BCCI source said that all the franchises have been told to be a bit cautious with regards to fitness of national team players.
“It doesn’t look very serious at the moment but there is a three-day gap before Sunrisers’ next game. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,” the official said.
There is a possibility that Saha may be advised to skip the next two games and in case Sunrisers makes it to play-offs, he would be fully fit.
Praise from Tendulkar and Shastri
Sachin Tendulkar lauded Saha’s “under-rated” shot-making while the Indian team’s head coach Ravi Shastri felt his 45-ball 87 was simply “outstanding”.
Saha smashed 12 fours and two sixes for SRH in its 88-run victory over Delhi Capitals, showing his batting skills which have largely gone unnoticed over the years.
“Very smart batting,” Tendulkar tweeted. “I also feel that @Wriddhipops quick scoring ability is invariably underrated,” he also said.
He loved the manner in which Saha was able to improvise his shots. “There was no slogging at all. Played a fantastic innings which I thoroughly enjoyed watching.”
Shastri once again termed him as the world’s best wicketkeeper and praised his batting effort. “To the best Glove Man in the world. Outstanding performance tonight,” Shastri said.
