Mumbai, Dec 2: Placed in Group A of the Ranji Trophy, Bengal have six points from their four games so far. Yet to register a win, they are missing their strike bowler Ashok Dinda who is on national duty and might also miss captain Manoj Tiwary if he is called up to play for India later. This year the team is also without former India captain Sourav Ganguly who represented them until last season. In the absence of these stalwarts the role of vice-captain Wriddhiman Saha becomes crucial as they pursue the coveted domestic title. As the tournament moves to its business end the pressure to win will be building as they look to qualify for the knockouts.
Saha who leads the team in the absence of Tiwary and is also a key batsman besides being an able wicketkeeper feels that whatever the role, the responsibility to give one’s best and perform always lies with a player. Although they obviously miss Ganguly in the team and also the contributions of Dinda and Tiwary when they are not around, the team has the potential to win believes Saha.
During their crucial ongoing match against Mumbai at the Brabourne Stadium the Bengal vice-captain briefly spoke to bcci.tv.
Excerpts from the brief interview:
How was the preparation for the match coming from a loss in previous game against MP?
Our target is always to get six or seven points from a game, but as per the situation you sometimes have to adapt and then go for a draw, like we tried against MP to get at least one point. In this match also we will aim for seven points and then we will see.
How do you work around the absence of Ashok Dinda and the possibility of missing Manoj Tiwary too if he reports for national duty?
There is a lot of potential in our team and if everyone plays to their potential, then we can win. Some individuals are doing well. If the entire team can perform together, then it would be even better.
When Dinda is playing no matter how the track is, whether it is a flat track or there is grass on it he gives his 200 percent. The player who is playing in his place may not be like Dinda but they are also doing their best.
In the absence of Tiwary there is an added responsibility of captaincy on your shoulders. How do you adjust and prepare for it?
I don’t think like that. Everyone always has a responsibility, like when you go out bat there is responsibility on you. The opening batsman, the middle-order batsman…all have a responsibility. If we get a good start, we can play better because then you have some time on hand and the bowler’s job is also like that. The responsibility has to come from within.
The routine preparation is there before the match and on the previous day we do that. If Dinda or Manoj are not there, we will miss them. We will have to manage it and work with the players that we have.
Till last year Sourav Ganguly played for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. How much does his absence affect the team?
Yes, we will always miss him. When Dada plays, when he is around, there is always more energy around.
You still have chance to qualify for the knockouts. What is the way forward?
We are taking it one match at a time. We will try to get maximum points out of each game. We are not thinking about the next games now. If we get seven or six points from this match, it will help us move forward.
How do you feel your own batting and wicketkeeping is shaping?
The more runs I can make, the better it is. ‘Keeping is also going on well. If I can score more runs, then it will be good for the team. I enjoy fielding; it comes naturally to me.
Do you feel getting key wickets on the first day gives you an edge?
The wickets that we have taken are vital. The ones that are playing now are also vital. Because of the way the wicket is behaving right now, 300-320 runs would be a good total. So, our target would be to bowl Mumbai out as soon as we can on the second day.
