IPL 2022 | It is great to have Wriddhiman Saha in the team, says Gary Kirsten

Gujarat Titans (GT) mentor Gary Kirsten hailed wicket-keeper batter Wriddhiman Saha on Sunday (May 15) after he hit a brilliant half-century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to take the Titans home by seven wickets. Saha's unbeaten 67 helped GT achieve the target of 134 without any problem and secured their place in Qualifier 1.

Kirsten was very impressed by how Saha batted today, praising the 37-year-old wicket-keeper batter from Bengal by saying he understands his game really well and is 'great' against the short-ball. 

"We have been obviously very impressed (with Saha). It is great to have him (Saha) in the team. He is a real professional. And he has got good experience in the IPL and in all (forms) of cricket,"  the protea said at the virtual post-match press conference.

While chasing the target of 134, Saha and his opening partner Gill came out blazing in the powerplay and smashed 53 runs in the first six overs. Saha, who is known for his stroke-play abilities in the powerplay, hammered 37 off 23 balls with seven fours and a six.

"He (Saha) understands his game and plays really well in the powerplay. For us, he was always an important asset to have when we needed him, and he has come in and done really well. I don't think there is any specific (thing) that we need to say to him because he knows how to play the powerplay really well. The most important thing is guys play to their strengths and abilities. He is a great player of the short ball," said the former South African cricketer.

Kirsten further lauded left-arm pacer, Yash Dayal for performing the way he has been doing throughout the season. In addition, he gave huge credit to coach Ashish Nehra for putting up such a quality bowling attack. 

"Yash Dayal is an incredibly talented young player. To have a left-armer in your bowling (who) can bowl across all the 20 overs is important. So this is a great opportunity for us to use him in the 19th over, and he bowled a great over, went for eight runs, and that is real confidence for him," he concluded.