Stumper Wriddhiman Saha expects to play second fiddle to new star Rishabh Pant in England; says that won’t stop him from taking his training very seriously
Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha. Pic/AFP
With Rishabh Pant cementing his place as the first-choice wicketkeeper after his heroics this year, senior wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha is well aware that he will play second fiddle to the young Delhi dasher as Team India touched down in England on Thursday for the World Test Championship final and the five-Test series against the hosts.
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Rishabh Pant
However, that hasn’t caused Saha, 36, to be less motivated. “I am not thinking that I may not get many chances. This is negativity. Whether I am in the XI or not, I do not carry any long face. I always think that I am one of the members of the Indian cricket team. Whatever the team want, I shall follow it. I practise religiously and will continue to do so,” Saha told mid-day in Kolkata before heading to Mumbai to complete his quarantine period before the team left for the UK on Wednesday night.
India take on New Zealand in the WTC final on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. “We have to concentrate more on playing pace bowling from the Kiwis. It’s nothing new as we have all played against them. I have been visualising playing against them,” said Saha, who is carrying four pairs of wicketkeeping gloves and as many bats considering the players will straight fly to Dubai for the resumption of the IPL.
Saha, who has 38 Tests under his belt but is yet to play a single match in England, felt the key to succeed in the UK is to play late. “The basic rule in English conditions is to play late. One should wait for the ball to come [onto the bat]. As far as wicketkeeping is concerned, the ball swings even after crossing the 22-yard strip. So, concentration will be the key,” said Saha, who preferred to keep his family back home in Kolkata. Like all Test specialists, Saha reckoned that the WTC final is nothing less than a World Cup summit clash for him. “It would be great if India become champions. We have got a balanced side with many match-winners,” he signed off.
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