‘There can be no better replacement’ – Indian fans back Wriddhiman Saha for World Test Championship final against Australia

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, encounter on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Wriddhiman Saha was in supreme touch. Saha used the crease to his advantage to take down both pacers and spinners, smacking them all over the park in what was a crazy knock of 81 runs off 43 balls. Shubman Gill, the usually talked-about batter in the partnership, struggled to find the gaps in the powerplay. The selectors of the Indian Cricket Board were asked to choose Saha as KL Rahul’s substitute for the World Test Championship final in addition to his blitzkrieg knock.

In the day game, GT was given the opportunity to bat first and the LSG  openers promptly dispatched Mohsin Khan for back-to-back boundaries in the first over before slamming Avesh Khan for a six and a four in the next. As Gujarat achieved their best-ever IPL score of 78/0 during the powerplay, he scored six boundaries and three maximums. In just 23 balls, Saha scored 54 runs.

KS Bharat likely to replace KL Rahul WTC Finals

Social media was flooded with calls for the Cricket Board selectors as Saha neared his 20-ball half-century, and they deemed it the ideal opportunity to name Saha as KL Rahul’s replacement for the WTC final against Australia next month. One of the first to make up the idea was former India bowler Dodda Ganesh.

Rahul, who suffered an injury playing for the team against RCB a few weeks ago, was formally declared out of the current IPL 2023 earlier this week. The LSG said on Friday that “further tests and scans have unfortunately confirmed a significant tear to Rahul’s hamstring which will require surgery.” He is now officially out of the WTC final as well, leaving India with just KS Bharat as their only available wicketkeeper.

While Indian Cricket Board relied on Ajinkya Rahane for the WTC final due to his expertise, the selectors may also take Saha into consideration for the same reason, albeit as a backup option. The IPL 2023 wicketkeeper-batter has been in fantastic form, and his 43-ball 81 on Sunday helped him reach 273 runs in 11 innings.