To get the winning runs is a proud moment for me: Parthiv Patel

The Indian team looked like a pretty balanced set up after the second Test in Vizag as they managed to beat the hosts quite comprehensively. Most expected them to go in with almost an unchanged XI which would mark an end to Virat Kohli’s streak of Tests where he hasn’t featured the same team. But it was not to be, as not one but two players pulled out due to injuries, KL Rahul and Wriddhiman Saha. Looking out for options they found one guy who could open the inning as well as keep wickets and that is how Parthiv Patel got his comeback call in Test cricket after 8 years.

He first walked into the Test team as a teenager but before he could mature into his game, a slump in form and the team’s desire to look out for a better keeper batsman brought MS Dhoni in the picture and since then he never quite let anyone grab the gloves. Parthiv was excited with this opportunity of making a comeback and was glad he made it count. “It was a great moment for me. I have been a part of Test matches before but I had never ever hit the winning runs,” Parthiv told BCCI.TV.

The Gujarat skipper scored 42 in the first inning and bettered it with an unbeaten 67 in the second and the cherry on the cake was he hit the winning runs. “As a batsman, it feels great to finish off the game. To get the winning runs after making a comeback is a proud moment for me. Virat was at the other end and he said he was very happy to see me getting runs. Playing for your country is the biggest honour and making a comeback is even harder. He along with other teammates made me comfortable as and it was pleasing to get runs for the team.”

All this while he was plying his trade in domestic cricket and has played 163 first-class matches. In the last couple of season he has been in tremendous form across formats and Parthiv carried that confidence while batting in the Test against England.

“Having played domestic cricket for long, I know my game well. I was always backing myself to get runs. I was in very good form in first-class cricket and I wanted to make this opportunity count. I wanted to continue that form into this Test match. It is the kind of energy you need to take while you are batting. The most important part is to get runs in the game and if you are getting them, you release a lot of pressure off yourself and from the partner who is batting with you at the other end. I played well in the first innings as well but it was necessary to show intent in the second innings, especially when you are chasing a low score. I am glad I could get a fifty in the second innings and stay there till the end for the team.”

It was the first time that Parthiv was playing with the current bunch of cricketers in the Indian team. None of them was around when he made his debut but when he came back, they made sure he was comfortable and the warmth made it easier for him to settle in from the onset.

“It was because of the kind of welcome and vibes I got in the dressing room, which was really important. Coming after eight years and wearing India whites, you are a bit nervous before the start of the Test match or while you are preparing for that moment to play for India. The guys welcomed me and it never felt like I was coming back to the dressing room after a huge gap.”