Long back an article in India Today rated Wriddhiman Saha as the fittest Indian cricketer and they were so right. India is taking on Australia in Pune. India lost the toss and Steven Smith had no hesitation in opting to bat first. They started off well but soon started losing wickets in a heap. Australia was looking down the barrel at 205 for 7, the tweaker from the visiting team Stephen O’Keefe was batting with Mitchell Starc on the other end. They were looking to solidify proceedings.
On Day 1, it was the 82nd over of the match when Umesh Yadav bowled one a touch outside the off-stump. Keefe throws his bat around only to find a thickish outside edge. The ball was flying fast when Saha leaps out of his blocks to his right hand side. He is in the air, his hands are fully stretched. He grabs it out of nowhere. Oh yes, call that the leap of faith!
Keefe was shocked to see Saha take the catch; it was a blinder—an effort that will not be forgotten soon.
At the end of the first day’s play, Australia has moved to respectability, thanks to Starc’s late order heroics. India will not take this score lightly considering the pitch is a raging turner. India have their work cut out, they will have to put their mind and concentrate on matching Australia in this Test and getting to a winning position.
