'I am wicketkeeper first, then batsman' - Saha

He is the only batsman to score a century in an IPL final. He has showcased his batting ability on numerous occasions, notably with his match-saving 92 in the Ranji Trophy to ensure Bengal avoided relegation. But, Wriddhiman Saha insists he is a wicketkeeper first, then a batsman.

He has been the best wicketkeeper in India for the last few years. But since breaking into Bengal's Ranji team eight years ago, he has been honing his skills as a batsman and it has reflected in his average steadily rising in all three formats.

"No doubt I am a wicketkeeper first, then a batsman" Saha told ESPNcricinfo ahead of Kings XI Punjab's home tie against Kolkata Knight Riders. "I have always believed wicketkeeping is my primary skill and I have been working on my batting ever since I started representing Bengal in junior cricket.

"Once I started playing the under-19s and under-22s for Bengal, I realised that I had to chip in with the bat as well, so I started going into the nets and working on my batting even after finishing all my keeping drills. So far it has worked for me. I just hope I can keep on improving," he said.

Since the move to Kolkata from Siliguri, an alpine town at the base of the Himalayas in North Bengal, a decade and a half ago, Saha has earned a reputation of being the bird that goes unnoticed in a flock. But the IPL has been different.

Saha's moves - whether behind or in front of the wicket - is under a lot of scrutiny by fans and connoisseurs alike. He has also emerged as India's first-choice wicketkeeper in Test matches after MS Dhoni's decision to retire from the longest format during the Australia tour.

While he is getting used to the spotlight, Saha is confident it won't affect his performance. "It hasn't changed much. Dhoni's retirement has given me an opportunity to keep wicket in the Tests. It doesn't put additional pressure on me. I just have to keep doing what I have been all these years. I am confident I can deliver."

Saha may appear a misfit in a Kings XI Punjab batting line-up boasting some of the biggest hitters in T20 cricket. But on Wednesday, he managed to overshadow Virender Sehwag during their 71-run partnership. Ample indication of his ability to dominate. But he has had to contend with being a floater in a batting order featuring Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and George Bailey. He came out at No. 3 in two of the three Kings XI games, but couldn't get a hit in the away fixture against Mumbai Indians despite the fall of five batsmen.

"T20 format is such that you have to be flexible," Saha said. "Lots of factors go into deciding our batting order. Whether a specific batsman can target one of the bowlers in the attack at the fall of a wicket, or if we want running of the wickets to be complimented and the stage of the match. So you get to play different roles as a batsman and that's a challenge for every batsman."