'If team decides Rishabh will play, I'll be fine' - Wriddhiman Saha opens up on getting dropped from New Zealand Tests

There is no doubt in saying that Wriddhiman Saha is the best wicket-keeper in India after MS Dhoni. His keeping skills are world-class and in recent years, the world has taken a note of how good he is. Recently, Saha represented his state team, Bengal in the Ranji Trophy final against Saurashtra. Even though Bengal couldn’t lift the trophy, the 35-year-old scored a patient 64 to help his side stay alive in the match.

His valiant effort comprised of 184 balls and a stay on the crease for around 60 overs. His knock had 10 fours and one six. After the final, the wicket-keeper batsman talked about him getting dropped for the New Zealand Tests.

During the two-match Test series in New Zealand, it was expected that Wriddhiman will take the field with the Indian team as the keeper. But, captain Virat Kohli had other ideas. Rishabh Pant who was not picked for a single Test during the Indian home season was suddenly brought back into the side.

‘I keep the team in front and individual choices later’: Wriddhiman Saha

Saha was asked by the interviewer, “The whole world thought you would play in New Zealand but you didn’t. How tough was it to sit out?”

Saha, fresh off a fighting 64 in the Ranji Trophy final said, “Normally, every player gets to know the squad before the match when the batting order is decided. I got to know after going there. It is not tough because you are still part of the team. You have to go by team management decision based on the conditions but yes, inside, you feel that hopefully, you will play since you played the last Test series.”

Saha averages 30 in Tests while Rishabh Pant averaged above 40 at the start of the New Zealand Tests. Pant had also scored centuries in Australia and England. During that time, Saha was out of action with a prolonged injury. The Bengal player was selected ahead of Pant during the home season but had performed exceptionally well with the gloves. But, Rishabh was called back into the XI for the New Zealand Tests citing him as a better batsman than Saha.

Upon asked whether the team management had decided that he would keep in India and Pant would don the gloves in the away series, Saha didn’t shy away from making a comment. “I haven’t been informed anything personally yet. But I keep the team in front and individual choices later. If team decides Rishabh will play, I will be fine with it as I want the team to win,” said the experienced keeper as quoted by Sportstar.