Wriddhman Saha lauds Rishabh Pant; says they have a ‘friendly relationship’

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhman Saha on Friday lauded his fellow colleague Rishabh Pant for stepping up and playing a spectacular innings at Gabba to help India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rishabh Pant finished the Test series as India’s highest run scorer with 274 runs against his name in five innings. Maintaining a phenomenal average of 68.50, Pant scored at a strike rate of 69.89.

Faulty wicket-keeping skills and dropped catches have bitten Rishabh Pant’s chances across formats. However, Saha believes “no one learns algebra in class I”, and Pant – who is just 23 years old– has a long way to go.

Rishabh Pant was picked into the playing 11 after Saha managed 9 and 4 runs in the Day/Night Adelaide Test where India were shot out for a record low of 36 runs. Coming into the side after missing the limited overs series, Pant started with a well paced 40 ball 29 in the first innings. In the next Test at Sydney, the Delhi Capitals mainstay went on to score a match saving 97-run-knock and then shattered a 32-year-old record by scoring unbeaten 89 runs at Brisbane.

Saha, who is generally considered as the best Test match wicketkeeper in the current Indian lot, during a conversation with PTI said there is no conflict between him and Pant. He added that the better player gets the gloves. With Pant’s heroics, the 23-year-old would surely have an edge over Saha as the bilateral competition against England starts early next month. 

“You can ask him (Pant), we have a friendly relationship and help each other whoever gets into the XI. Personally, there’s no conflict with him,” Saha said after returning home following the historic Test series win in Australia.

“I dont’ see who is No.1 or 2… Team will give a chance to those who do better. I will continue to do my job. Selection is not in my hands, it’s up to the management,” Saha said. 

Also Read: Rishabh Pant breaks MS Dhoni’s record, becomes fastest Indian wicketkeeper to 1,000 Test runs

He also praised Pant, saying, “No one learns algebra in class I. You always go step by step. He is giving his best and will definitely improve. He has matured and proved himself. In the long run, it augurs well for the Indian team.”

“The way he has shown his intent after being sidelined from his favourite T20 and ODI formats was really exceptional.” Since the Brisbane show, Pant is being compared incessantly with the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni but Saha said “Dhoni will remain Dhoni and everyone has his own identity”.

“Anyone can go through a bad phase. A professional player always accepts the highs and lows, be it with form or criticism,” the 36-year-old said.

“I was unable to score runs that’s why Pant got the chance. It’s as simple as that. I always focused on improving my skills…It’s the same approach now,” he said.

He said the series win was “no less than a World Cup triumph” because of the way the team bounced back from 36 all out in Adelaide despite injuries to key players.

“Even though I did not play (in three matches), I enjoyed every moment of it.

“We faced challenges in putting up 11 players, so it was an outstanding feat, an outstanding team effort. Definitely, it will be one of our greatest series wins,” he said.

Saha said India may not have known the outstanding depth in their reserve bench had they not faced the crisis situation of several players injuring themselves. Captain Virat Kohli had left after the first Test on paternity leave.

“It was about instilling self-belief and going session by session. The series win last time also played in our minds,” Saha said.

Both Pant and Saha have been picked for the first two Tests in the home series against England next month and it remains to be seen whether the team think tank will play the veteran as a specialist wicketkeeper.

Saha also spoke about the leadership of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane.

“He goes about his job with a cool head. Like Virat, he too has full belief in his players. Unlike Virat, he never shows any excitement.

“Approach is a bit different, Rahane stays calm always, never loses temper. He knows well how to motivate the players. That is his success mantra.”