'Sehwag's inputs helped me grow as a cricketer'

High on confidence after a commendable run in international cricket, Wriddhiman Saha is now gearing up for a productive Indian Premier League with "priceless inputs" from Kings XI Punjab's chief of cricket operations Virender Sehwag.

"I am hopeful that with Viru bhai's inputs, I will have a much better season than the last time. He has obviously helped me a lot from the time I entered the Indian team's dressing room. I have tried to inculcate the positive intent while batting across formats," Wriddhiman said during an interaction on Tuesday.

Asked if he has got any specific input from Sehwag, Wridhdiman said: "Viru bhai tells me that my job is to rotate the strike. His primary advice has always been that avoid playing dot balls after big shots as it breaks the momentum in T20s. He tells me that if I have the belief, I should be able to hit good balls for big shots."

Having scored 441 runs in Tests this home season with an average of 44 plus, Wriddhiman said that should translate into some good performances in the IPL.

 "Obviously, if you have done well at the Test arena against quality oppositions, you want to carry that confidence into the T20 mould as well. But, at the end of the day, it's about performing out there in the middle," he said.

 "Like, we have a very good team on paper I believe. We have bowlers like T Natarajan, who have done well and earned a call-up. But talent needs to be transformed into performance and I am confident that will happen," the Test specialist said. 

Murali Vijay's absence will be a factor as he has been a consistent performer in IPL over the years.

 "We can't just fret over Vijay's absence. Each player has to pull in and do their bit. It's a collective responsibility to ensure that Kings XI Punjab are the title contenders this time around," said the Bengal stumper.