Wriddhiman Saha’s very first appearance for Bengal in this Ranji Trophy is the final of the competition, versus Saurashtra at the SCA Stadium beginning Monday.

But the India Test wicketkeeper-batsman doesn’t seem to be too worried about it. Saha, who has become a father for the second time on Friday, seems to be in a jovial mood with no complaints for not having been selected in the XI for the recently-concluded Tests versus New Zealand.

“When your very first match of a tournament turns out to be the final, it makes you feel good. It’s great that I will represent the team in such a crunch game,” Saha told The Telegraph.

Since his recovery from the injury in the ring finger of his right hand, Saha has played just one game — for India A versus New Zealand XI in Hamilton. He refused to buy the idea that playing more games would have kept him in better shape.

“Not having played more matches doesn’t mean I’m in bad shape. It doesn’t really make any difference. Why see it as a final… I look at it as just another match,” Saha said.

This season, Saha has represented Bengal only twice, in a couple of List A matches last September. He, however, is greatly impressed with the cohesion in the current Bengal side, which has focused on team effort rather than depending on a few individuals.

Saha also lavished praise on the Bengal pacers who have been able to make a difference.

“Previously, we used to see only a handful of players performing. Others weren’t as consistent. There has been a change in that pattern.

“Our quicks are doing really well. Previously, what we used to see is (Ashok) Dinda attacking from one end but not getting the required support from the other.

“But with almost everyone contributing this season, the results have been good,” Saha explained. Elaborating on the improvement shown by Mukesh Kumar, the senior-most pacer in the side, Saha said: “Mukesh is getting the batsmen play most of the balls.

“But Mukesh has made sure that the batsmen do not settle down.” Saha’s addition provides further solidity to Bengal, particularly their batting line-up, for he has always been a consistent performer with the bat too at the domestic level.

But Bengal’s top order has looked shaky in the last few matches with captain Abhimanyu Easwaran not getting enough runs.

Like Manoj Tiwary, Saha too has faced what was probably Bengal’s darkest phase when they were relegated from the Elite Group of the Ranji Trophy back in the 2007-08 season. That was also his debut season in first-class cricket.