I cannot be compared to MS Dhoni, says Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha suggested that he is not at a position to be compared to a player of MS Dhoni's stature who has invaluable experience as a cricketer. The 32-year- old further revealed that there was no tension in the Indian dressing room under Anil Kumble's tenure as the head coach.
Wriddhiman Saha took over from MS Dhoni who retired from Test cricket at the end of 2014 and the 32-year- old has cashed in the opportunity quite well scoring two centuries and showcasing his agility and athleticism behind the stumps. Moreover, Saha became the fourth highest run-getter in India's long and gruelling home Test season while keeping wickets to world's top two spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, on turning wickets in India.
However, Saha suggested that he still has a long way to go before he could be compared to MS Dhoni whilst expressing his happiness on filling the shoes of the former Indian skipper.
"It indeed feels great that I am standing at the spot for India where Mahi Bhai used to stand for years. But, there is no way one can compare me with him. He played for years with pride; he made the entire country proud time and time again. He is a legend, he played so many matches. Unless I play a similar number of matches I don’t think I should be commenting on this." Saha told Sportskeeda.
The Indian cricket fraternity was recently divided after Indian skipper Virat Kohli and former coach Anil Kumble's indifferences ended up becoming a media spectacle, following which the former leg-spinner decided to step down as the Indian coach. Reports suggested that Kumble demanded dominance over the dressing room which was disliked by many of the players.
However, Saha denied the existence of any such scenarios during his time with the Indian team.
"See, I get along well with everybody. I never felt that way. We used to crack jokes, have fun. I strongly feel the same will happen when Ravi Bhai will come. During the Test matches, I didn’t see anything wrong. I have no clue if anything had happened during the ODIs." he said.
While the saga has finally concluded with Ravi Shastri being appointed as the new head coach and Saha is looking forward to capitalising on Shastri's inputs on his game.
"This is not our decision and as players, our only aim is to win matches. Whoever comes in as the coach, the main priority will always remain the same and that is to win matches for India. Every coach has a specific duration and we have to accept it. Ravi Bhai (Ravi Shastri) gave some great inputs when he was the director of the team and now I am looking forward to getting some more valuable inputs from him."
Although Saha has been synonymous with spectacular efforts behind the stumps especially in the Indian Premier League and has earned the title of 'Superman-Wriddhiman', the Bengal stumper revealed that it was just the constant practice that helped him sharpen his wicketkeeping skills.
"I tried to perform my job. I reacted to the situations and they happened. I keep myself fit and practice hard. The outcome was good for me as well as for the team."
When questioned about his experience of playing under skipper Virat Kohli, Saha replied, "Virat Kohli is a true leader. Since the time I started playing, he has been really good to me. He gets close easily with all the members. Not only on the field, but off the field as well. The team has a great unity under Virat, we enjoy each other’s success. Like Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni), Virat always motivates players and comes up with positive words in all the situations. Virat has created a positive environment in the dressing room."
Lastly, Saha expressed his desires of donning the Indian colours in the shorter formats of the game as well.
"See, everyone wants play in all the formats. I will keep on trying to play for the country in ODIs. That remains somewhere in my mind but I solely focus what is there in my hands. I have to perform well every day in whatever opportunity comes my way"Â