'If you want to take some other decision, you can do' - Wriddhiman Saha reveals exact conversation with Rahul Dravid over his axing

Wriddhiman Saha has been in the news ever since India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series was announced on Saturday (February 19). While one of the ‘respected’ journalists threatened him for not responding to his interview messages, Saha has also made some startling revelations in his statements. Now, the wicketkeeper batter has revealed the exact conversation with head coach Rahul Dravid during the South Africa tour when he was told about his axing.

The 37-year-old recalled that Dravid cleared to him that the selectors and team management want to look beyond him to give chances to new faces. Saha was also told that he is not the team’s first choice wicketkeeper.

“Wriddhi, I don’t know how to say this, but for some time now the selectors and the team management have been wanting to look at a new face (as wicketkeeper). Because you are not our first-choice wicketkeeper, because you haven’t been playing for a while, we want to use this time to groom a younger wicketkeeper.” I said “okay, no issues”,” Saha said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

Saha cleared to Dravid that he is not thinking about retirement

Further Wriddhiman Saha stated that Rahul Dravid also clearly told him that he won’t be picked for the Test series against Sri Lanka. However, he also recalled that the head coach asked him to take ‘some other decision’ if he wants to take during this period.

“Don’t be shocked if you are not selected for the Sri Lanka Tests. In the meantime, if you want to take some other decision, you can do that.” So I told him I was not thinking about retirement; not even close to doing so. I told him, “I started playing cricket because I liked playing it, and will continue till I like doing so. If you are not looking at me for the Indian team, that is your decision,” Saha further told about his communication with Dravid.