Kolkata: For Parthiv Patel who holds the record of being the youngest wicket-keeper to make his Test debut (17 years and 153 days), a recall into the Indian side is the perfect icing on the cake. With an impressive performance both with the bat and the gloves in the Ranji Trophy, the Gujarat stumper will replace an injured Wriddhiman Saha in the third Test against England at Mohali. Wriddhiman has been ruled out due to a thigh strain. Parthiv has been preferred ahead of a younger Naman Ojha who played one Test in Sri Lanka last year in the absence of Wriddhiman.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a statement regarding the replacement according to Reuters, “BCCI medical team confirms that India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha developed a strain in his left thigh during the second match played against England at Visakhapatnam,” the board said in a statement. “As a precautionary measure, Saha has been advised rest and will not play in the next test match of the series.”
Parthiv started his Test career against England at Nottingham in 2002. Since then, the left-hander has played 20 Tests, 38 One-day internationals and 2 T-20 Internationals for India. In Tests, he has scored 683 runs at an average of 29.69 and has 41 catches and 8 stumpings to his credit.
Incidentally, Parthiv was the first choice wicket-keeper for India in the early 2000s before Dinesh Karthik stepped in who lost his place to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Parthiv featured in the whites for the last time in 2008 against Sri Lanka at Colombo.
Parthiv lost his place in the team after his skills behind the stumps were questioned. However, with age on his side (he is 31 now), Parthiv continued to play at the first-class level and the Indian Premier League (IPL) having represented Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Deccan Chargers, Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Mumbai Indians.
Quite handy with the bat, Parthiv’s inclusion gives a second option to Virat Kohli behind the stumps. Though, Virat’s first choice is Wriddhiman who has only grown from strength to strength as a wicket-keeper and a batsman down the order, a good show at Mohali, would help Parthiv earn his skipper’s confidence.
Having scored 139 not out, 49, 60 and 61 in his last four Ranji Trophy innings, Parthiv is certainly in form and even gives the Team Management an extra batsman to look for even in the presence of Wriddhiman. Mind you, Ajinkya Rahane is not in form. Dinesh Karthik has been tried and tested. So, Parthiv deserved a chance.
But Parthiv’s inclusion into the X1 will depend a lot on Virat and coach Anil Kumble. If they opt for an extra bowler or a batsman giving the gloves to KL Rahul, it might be a different story. Critics may question Parthiv’s inclusion especially at a time when one should look ahead, but experience counts and with the wicket-keeper having polished his game over the years, the selectors couldn’t have afforded to ignore him.
Somebody who has played in England, Australia and Pakistan, Parthiv’s selection cannot be doubted.