For Coronavirus-restricted Wriddhiman Saha, life and family come before anything else

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the sporting world and cricket has been no exception. Series and tournaments have been suspended across the world and India’s summer carnival Indian Premier League (IPL) has faced a red signal till April 15. Eight lives have been lost in India in the pandemic so far while 425 have been affected. Worldwide, the death toll stands at 15,000 plus while nearly 3.5 lakh have been hit.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a serious challenge over the future of the 13th edition of the IPL that was supposed to kick off on March 29. Though it has been deferred by 17 days, it is uncertain whether the tournament could start even on April 15. If the tournament fails to take off, the Indian board will face a massive monetary damage.

India Test wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha expressed his opinion on the situation that has paralysed the entire world. Several cities in India are facing a lockdown at the moment and with the spread gradually rising, nobody has an iota of idea when things will be back to normal.

‘We all have to wait for situation to get better’ – Wriddhiman Saha

The 35-year-old Saha, who recently played for Bengal in the final of the Ranji Trophy against Saurashtra and made a fighting 64 even though his team lost, feels life and family comes before anything else. “Life and family comes first. Then you can talk about sport. We all sacrifice a lot for the sport but eventually if a lot of people are hampered, that is not necessary. So, we need to take necessary precautions. For the time being, we all have to wait and when the situation gets better, we all will look to do well in the IPL,” he was quoted as saying by Times Now.

Saha missed the two-Test series against New Zealand recently despite being picked in the squad and having played the side game against New Zealand XI. Much talked-about keeper Rishabh Pant was preferred over him for the Tests, a move which earned criticism as well. But Wriddhiman Saha never projected as if he is in the middle of a tense rivalry with Pant, who is more than a decade younger.

“We (me and Rishabh) keep joking around. We train together and we keep talking about the game and otherwise also. He always tries to give his best. There are few things which we have had a chat about,” Saha said while reflecting on his terms with the young Pant.

“I have told Rishabh a few things which he will try according to his comfort zone. He will try during training. It’s not like he will do it for one day and it will work. So, if he feels those things will work for him, he will try and implement them in his training.” Wriddhiman Saha became father for the second time last October and like every other cricketer, he is enjoying quality time with his family at home.