TATA IPL 2022 stands in its final few days for this season, and there have been plenty of moments to savor. The one big take away is the way the two new teams have played this season. Before the start of the season, none of the fans knew what to expect from the two new entrants. Gujarat Titans have enthralled everyone with the way they have played this season. They have played with flair, aggression and have entertained the fans and became the first team to reach the play-offs. As things stand they will finish top of the table.
Frail at the top of the order–
At the start of the TATA IPL 2022, the titans opened with Matthew Wade and Shubman Gill. The Australian was somewhat a hot commodity after his exploits during the T20 world cup. Wade was picked by Gujarat during the auctions, a good 11 years after he played the IPL. But Matthew Wade did not do justice to the chances he go at the top of the order. The first few games saw GT become frail at the top as far as the opening slot was concerned, which can be seen in the numbers below.
Match Number |
Opponents |
1st wicket stand |
4th Match |
LSG |
4 |
10th Match |
Delhi |
2 |
16th Match |
PBKS |
32 |
21st Match |
SRH |
24 |
24th Match |
RR |
12 |
One man who made the difference –
With five games gone, GT decided to bring Wriddhiman Saha into the team and he was given a chance to open the batting. Saha came into the IPL with a huge cloud over his head. He was already dropped from the test side which was to play Sri Lanka, and he had a massive controversy with journalist Boria Majumdar. The 37 year old had alluded that he was asked to retire and had pulled out of the Bengal Ranji squad. But when the time came, Saha was different, he was here to prove a point.
Giving solditity at the top –
The first game Saha played on his return was against CSK and the opening stand did not improve. But what happened after that is nothing short of phenomenal and the Titans fans started to appreciate the value Saha bought to the team. in the table below one can see the stark difference in the opening stands and the value it bought.
Match Number |
Opponents |
1st Wicket Stand |
29th Match |
CSK |
1 |
35th Match |
KKR |
8 |
40th Match |
SRH |
69 |
43rd Match |
RCB |
51 |
48th Match |
PBKS |
17 |
51st Match |
MI |
106 |
57th Match |
LSG |
8 |
62nd Match |
CSK |
59 |
The difference can be seen, in 8 matches that Saha opened with Gill, there were 3 half century stands and one century stand.
Saha the silent performer –
Saha has always been a total team man and a silent performer with the bat or behind the stumps. During the 2nd test at Mumbai, his wicket keeping was lauded as the best in the world by Sunil Gavaskar. Yet it was unexplainable and unfathomable that he could be dropped. In the 8 games he has played so far, Saha has scored 281 runs with an average of 40. He has given GT team management the breather that he can take care of the situation right at the top.
It is rightly said quiet people make the loudest noise, and Wriddhiman Saha is a fine example to that adage. There is no better wicket keeper batsman than Saha at this point of time in India. Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori put it the right way when he said “We need to give a lot of credit to Wriddhiman Saha. He has been very consistent and has given his side enough runs in the powerplay to not put too much pressure on Shubman Gill or Hardik Pandya. He’s been a real catalyst for them in going from just winning games to winning them comfortably”. Hopefully this can lead to a return to Team India, and give Saha a chance to finish his career on his terms.
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