Happy to have helped Rishabh Pant with some keeping tips, says Wriddhiman Saha

Happy to have helped Rishabh Pant with some keeping tips, says Wriddhiman Saha

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India's gloveman Wriddhiman Saha was out there helping his teammate Rishabh Pant with a few wicketkeeping tips during India's tour of West Indies. The Bengal cricketer didn't get a spot in the playing XI in either of the games but that didn't stop him from helping out his younger teammate.

Wriddhiman Saha made his name through his incredible wicketkeeping skills giving India hope after MS Dhoni retired from the longest format in 2014. However, a hamstring injury had him out of the second Test in South Africa in January 2018 and then a series of injuries followed and it's been more than a year since the 33-year-old was seen in Indian whites.

Despite being named in squads, the Bengal cricketer has only had an on and off relationship with selection since and the emergence of Rishabh Pant as a promising gloveman has almost closed doors for Saha. However, he refuses to lose his positive attitude even after facing major setbacks. 

“When I was sitting out, I didn’t feel sorry for myself or carry any negative thoughts. The physio told me that if I was 20, I would have recovered in quick time. But I was 33, so it would naturally take a longer time for me to recover. I kept that in mind, and I just tried to enjoy my training,” Saha was quoted saying by Sportstar.

“Some of my friends and family were upset that I was forced out when I was playing well, but I’m not the sort to feel bad about losing my spot in a team. Right from my childhood, I’ve carried a positive outlook,” he added.

Saha was with the Indian team that toured the Caribbean but was overlooked as the more exciting batsman Rishabh Pant was chosen over him. However, the veteran keeper did help out the young Pant whose keeping skills still need a bit of polishing. “Fielding coach R. Sridhar and I gave some tips to Pant. Pant knows what to do, but we gave him small reminders to help him out,” the 33-year-old said. 

While Pant struggled in West Indies due to his poor shot selection, Saha kept scoring runs for India 'A'- something that could make him beat Pant in the race of making it to the playing eleven for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa.

“My goal is to perform well in every match I play, so that if the opportunity comes to play for the Indian team, I will be ready. But for now, I’m focussed on doing well for India ‘A’ here in Mysuru. I don’t think too far ahead,” Saha concluded

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