I wasn't expecting the chance to play for India again: Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel was perhaps the most apt makeshift for Wriddhiman Saha as far as many were concerned given the fact that the southpaw made very few mistakes as far as his glovework was concerned as well as more than handy with the bat. However, now that Saha is back, the Indian selectors would be looking to go back to their number one player in the grand scheme of things.

However, Parthiv Patel is one of the most sought after blokes at the moment after he led Gujarat to an improbable Ranji Trophy win recently. However, Saha once again proved that he was a good batsman when he went ahead and ensured that he helped himself to an impressive double century.

“I wasn’t expecting to get a chance (for India). I am quite happy. I will start doing what I was doing. I don’t compete just to play for India anymore,” Parthiv told India Today. “It was a fantastic 200. His approach in the run chase was great,” he praised Saha.

However, despite this, chief selector MSK Prasad went ahead and opined that Parthiv had indeed improved his glovework in recent times.

“Parthiv’s glove-work has definitely improved. But Saha has got better hands and that’s where he score little more points than Parthiv. With today’s batting (Irani trophy) Saha showed why he is the number one keeper-batsman in the country. When he came out to bat the team was struggling at 64-4 and to take the game away from Gujarat is phenomenal. So it’s a health competition between the two,” he opined.

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However, despite all of this, Parthiv went ahead and stated that he was not one who played for selections, but to get better.

“I have set standards and goals for myself and try to achieve them. Mindset is to improve my game. Even when I came back I knew if I kept working at my game and work hard, some day I will get my chance. But I don’t play for selections. I keep working hard,” he said.