India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha may not look as elegant as R Ashwin or other batsmen with natural flair in the team, but his gritty approach makes him ideal for the longest format. He can tackle the short ball in his own style and an occasional blow on the body does not ruffle him. He hangs around, waits for his moment and punishes the bowlers when they start to lose steam. Saha can attack the spinners and his sweep is highly effective. When he decides to switch gears, he can get the pull shot out of his bag and his drives with short front foot strides, but a heavy bottom hand, makes the ball travel. In the two previous Tests against the West Indies in the ongoing series, he had come close to getting half-centuries but got on 40 and 47 respectively. On the first day of the third Test, he walked out to bat with the side reeling at 126-5. Another score of 40 would not have added much value. A big effort was needed. Saha provided solid company to R Ashwin in the final session as the two walked out unscathed after leading India’s recovery. On Wednesday morning, spongy bounce was back to trouble the batsmen but a determined Saha grafted his way. With no intention to fish outside the off, Saha was peppered with the short ball while the rest were aimed at the stumps. Only 21 runs were scored in the first 13 overs, but survival was the key. “Initially, we had planned to hit only the loose balls and that too if we were 100 per cent certain. We were willing to spend time and began rotating the strike gradually,” Saha explained in a chat with BCCI.TV. Once he got to the fifty, Saha began all over again. “It was at the back of my mind that I missed out on fifties in the last two matches. When I was closing in, my first goal was to get those five runs and reach the half-century that had eluded me. When I got to the mark, I again started from the scratch.” The run-rate began to pick up with as Saha scored off fast bowlers and also off Roston Chase who had been bowling to a packed on side field. Saha began capitalizing moments that offered scoring options. He did that when Ashwin was on 99. Realizing that the focus will be on his partner, Saha went for his shots, freed his arms, got thick edges and collected boundaries to race from 77 to 93 at lunch “We just wanted to get to the century. In the last three-four overs, I was getting opportunities to score, so I hurriedly moved to the 90s. I told him that if you had gotten strike, you would have got to the hundred before the break. It was an outstanding batting performance by him.” The talk during the break was to quickly get to the triple figures whoever gets it first. “I am very happy that I scored a century and the team could cross the 350-run mark. Our plan was to bat long.” Asked if the maiden Test century registered away from home, the 31-year-old who first played a Test for India over six years ago was not in a mood to get carried away. “I think a Test century is always a big achievement be it at home or away. It was not easy as we had lost five wickets and the conditions were difficult with the outfield being very slow. I am happy that my hundred could help the team and in the future too, I will be looking to contribute to the team's cause.” With Ashwin completing his second century of the series, it was the first occasion for India that a No.6 and a No.7 batsman scored centuries in the same innings. Saha knew that he had etched his name in the record books but didn’t know the actual context. “There was something being flashed on the screen but the font was so small, that it was difficult to read and know. We knew that there some sort of a record, but didn't know what. It feels nice to know that I am now a part of a record for India.”

Unless there is a collapse at the top of the order, at No. 7, Saha will not have many opportunities to get to triple figures. For now, the fourth Indian wicketkeeper to score a hundred outside India can be pleased with his personal effort that also bailed India out of trouble.