Once Wriddhiman Saha returns to the squad, he will most probably be an automatic choice in the XI during Bengal’s campaign in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning February 21.

However, Saha is unlikely to open the innings as Bengal prefer continuing with Sreevats Goswami and Vivek Singh as both batsmen had done reasonably well in the competition last season.

Before being sidelined by injury, Saha opened and batted at No.3 in quite a few matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last IPL.

“It’s too early to decide. IPL and Bengal team are not the same. There’s a difference. We don’t want to go by what’s done in the IPL.

“Players who do well and have performed batting at particular positions are most likely to continue doing so. Last year, we had two players — Sreevats and Vivek — who were outstanding and so, their contributions can’t be forgotten. So obviously, they have to be given that opportunity again,” captain Manoj Tiwary said after a training session at the JU Salt Lake campus ground on Sunday.

Saha, it was learnt, will be getting his certificate of fitness from the NCA on Friday and may join the squad from February 17. “He has certainly made good progress, doing the wicketkeeping and other drills really well ever since he’s been under my supervision.

“His intensity has increased and movement-wise too, he’s really looking good,” said former India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra, who has been working with the ’keeper-batsman at the NCA.

Saha will be having one final session of drills with Ratra on Monday, before the latter leaves to resume his duties as Bihar U-23 team coach.

Manoj, though, feels Saha won’t have any problem as such to gel with the team just because he will be returning after a long time. “Wriddhi has been playing for Bengal since long and represented India also. So, he should be given some liberty.

“He is a mature, sensible guy when it comes to gelling with the team. He is not a newcomer that he has to be in our camp for five-six days and then we’ll have to make him familiar with our system.

“He is a big player and only by playing more and more, he will find it easy to get going. Scoring runs straightaway after coming back from injury isn’t too easy,” Manoj said.

Speaking about the areas where Bengal need improvement, Manoj laid emphasis on match-situation practice, which he feels will help the bowlers in terms of better execution during matches.