His breakthrough in international cricket was accidental. He was drafted in the Indian side as a specialist batsman replacing Rohit Sharma who injured himself on the morning of the Test match against South Africa in 2010. He made a fighting 36 in the second innings of that Test but that was not worthy enough for Saha to be a regular in the Indian line-up. He then played a Test for India two year later against Australia at Adelaide scoring a patient 35 giving Virat Kohli company and helped him score his maiden Test century.