The 5 best moments of Wriddhiman Saha's Test career 

#3 6 years later, a maiden Test century!

Saha scored his first ton against the Windies

Small goals are firmly set in place before every cricketer turns out to play for his nation who considers Test cricket as the holy-grail. The maiden Test cap. The first 5-wicket haul and the first Test hundred. A moment that reveals to the player that he does belong to the grandest stage in international arena; a special occasion that gives birth to a possible hero.

Wriddhiman Saha’s journey from being a constant back-up to MS Dhoni to finally finding himself a spot was effused with its own challenges. However, even though he had surpassed the former captain with his skills behind the stumps, he failed to consistently justify his role as a number seven batsman, with awe-inspiring knocks being few and sparse in between.

In his 14th Test match in the third Test match against West Indies in Gros Islet in St. Lucia, Saha walked out to bat with India struggling at 126/5, with the line-up being diced open by the guile of Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Roston Chase.

The management had given a clear indication of their lack of faith in Saha’s credentials as a batsman when the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was pushed ahead in the batting order, above Saha. With clouds of doubts lingering on, this had to be the day when he would have to win over the captain, the team and the country.

He scored his first run after facing five balls. His second run came 28 balls later. As Jason Holder continued bowling outside off-stump, Saha impressed with his late cuts and his ability to adjust when the odd ball bounced up at him. 12 runs in 71 balls. 46 off 122.

With Ashwin too deciding to drop gears scoring just four boundaries in 227 balls, the duo had ensured that the rickety start had been effectively dealt with. It was now time to accelerate; to mark a stark shift in the way India approached the first innings.

Whipping balls towards the leg-side and square leg. Pulls and cover drives on the off-side. Shots straight down the ground and cuts that pierced Kraigg Brathwaite’s off-spin. Saha’s array of strokes, which were on display for the first time in six years, was indeed a beautiful sight to witness.

As he inched towards the elusive hundred, the knots in the stomach became more intense. As he unstrapped his helmet when he reached the three figures, a sense of relief had engulfed not only the player but also the teammates all around. As he walked back to the pavilion after 227 balls and 104 runs, a strange satisfaction was all that remained. Saha had arrived.